Cruelty Investigations Team

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The Cruelty Investigations Department spent approximately 2.0 million dollars conducting investigations, caring for animals in distress, and preparing charges in 2009. The BC SPCA does not receive any provincial funding to assist them with animal cruelty investigations. On average, to bring one case of cruelty to Crown Counsel for prosecution, an investigation can cost more than $10,000. The BC SPCA relies on the generous gifts from its supporters to help us ensure that we can continue to help animals in need and end animal cruelty in the province of B.C.

In 2009, the BC SPCA's Cruelty Investigations Department investigated more than 5,800 complaints of cruelty and neglect throughout the province of British Columbia.

Power under the PCA Act

All of the provinces and territories in Canada have some form of animal protection law (sometimes called "animal welfare" law). In B.C., the law is called the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (PCA Act). This law is enforced by the BC SPCA.

It is a crime in Canada to willfully, or intentionally, harm animals. A person who deliberately harms animals can be charged under the Criminal Code of Canada. This is a federal law that applies throughout Canada that lists crimes and sets out penalties for each crime. The code deals specifically with cruelty to animals in sections 444 to 447.

In order to appreciate what the BC SPCA can and can not do to assist animals in need it is important to have an understanding of the PCA Act and the steps of an investigation. To learn more, you can download this brief overview of a Cruelty Investigation (5.7 MB).