Protesters arrested as part of “enforcement actions” could have their pets taken into care, Canadian authorities have warned.
Canadians taking part in demonstrations against Covid-19 mandates were threatened with inadvertently relinquishing their pets if arrested by the police, authorities warned on Thursday.
According to an announcement on the Ottawa-By-law Twitter account, anyone arrested at demonstrations as part of “enforcement actions” by the government could have their animals placed in “protective care” for a week if they are unable to look after them.
The suspect must pay for the animal’s care. After eight days, if arrangements have not been made, the animal would be considered “relinquished.” A tweet from Ottawa’s regulatory service included a photo of a dog hanging out of a truck window.
The ongoing protests in Canada began weeks ago as a convoy of truckers protesting vaccine and quarantine mandates for border crossings, but the movement has morphed into much larger demonstrations against Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Attention animal owners at demonstration
If you are unable to care for your animal as a result of enforcement actions, your animal will placed into protective care for 8 days, at your cost. After 8 days, if arrangements are not made, your animal will be considered relinquished. pic.twitter.com/OkbXc8RE3c
— Ottawa By-law (@OttawaBylaw) February 17, 2022
