Animal Protection Programs Now Include Oxford County

Tuesday, 6 August 2019 07:52

Residents in Oxford County can now contact the Humane Society in London and Middlesex. They are now extending their services and reach to support protect services to people living here.

OXFORD COUNTY - Residents in Oxford County can now contact the Humane Society London and Middlesex.

They are now extending their services and reach to support protect services to people living here.

Executive Director Steve Ryall says they launched the HSLM Animal Protection division in June.

"The Humane Society London-Middlesex will continue to service the areas that we've had in the past, which was London and Middlesex, and what we've done is added this new division called HSLM Animal Protection and adding those areas of Oxford and Elgin County. So what we are happy to do is to respond to reports of animal cruelty and abuse and all people need to do is call 1-888-611-4756. Now if they do see something like an emergency and I'll give you an example, like a dog in a locked car in the heat, we urge them to call 911."

Ryall says they worked with the Solicitor General after the Ontario Humane Society or OSPCA no longer wanted to be the direct connection to the government for being the chief in charge of animal protection in the province.

He says it is important to protect animals and keep them safe.

"These are living, breathing creatures and a lot of us care for them and a lot of your listeners will as well. They're there for us to look after and also and enjoy their time and their friendship."

Ryall says with the hot weather this summer, especially this past weekend, it's best to keep your animals at home where they are cool if it is unnecessary to bring them in the car. He says to cut down on some of the animal cruelty calls, he suggests people take their pets for walks early in the morning or late at night.

The HSLM Animal Protection officers respond to more than 1,000 reports of animal cruelty every year and they have the power to remove animals from homes where they are facing abuse, neglect and abandonment.

Their website states that under the Solicitor General and Chief Inspector, officers are also responsible for responding to reports of abuse, neglect and abandonment and resolving it through education and enforcement.

Animal abuse is a criminal offence and animal cruelty investigations can include dogs left in vehicles on a hot day, beaten and neglected or abandoned dogs and cats, puppy mills and organized crimes against animals like dog fighting. They also help police with animals at crime scenes.

If you would like to report an incident involving animal cruelty, you may contact the HSLM Animal Protection at 1-888-611-4756 (HSLM) or if you want to report anonymously through Crime Stoppers, you may call 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

To learn more about the HSLM, you can head to their website.