The Montreal SPCA has introduced a new round-the-clock hotline to combat animal cruelty, responding to a concerning surge in abuse incidents throughout Quebec.
Citizens now have the option to confidentially report any suspected cases of neglect or cruelty towards animals.
With a notable increase in reports of cruelty, the SPCA emphasizes the necessity of the hotline. In the year 2024, the organization managed 9,230 complaints, marking a 15% surge from the previous year, translating to approximately 25 additional calls daily. Furthermore, the number of animals rescued witnessed a threefold increase, escalating from 57 in 2023 to 179 in 2024.
“Since joining the Montreal SPCA in 2023, I have witnessed the extensive needs firsthand,” shared Alain Tessier, the director of the SPCA’s Investigations Division and a former police detective lieutenant. “Expanding our services beyond greater Montréal is crucial.”
The Investigations Division holds the jurisdiction to enforce Criminal Code regulations regarding animal cruelty across the province, in addition to Quebec’s animal welfare laws in 107 municipalities spanning Montreal, Laval, the Laurentians, and Montérégie.
The launch of the hotline aligns with ongoing efforts by the SPCA to prosecute individuals in the highly publicized case of Linus, a severely malnourished dog rescued on March 23. Following an extensive investigation, two suspects were charged by the Quebec directorate of criminal and penal prosecutions (DPCP) and made a court appearance on Sept. 15.
Both individuals stand accused of two charges: inflicting unnecessary suffering on an animal and failing to provide appropriate food, water, shelter, and care. They have pleaded not guilty, and conditions have been set to prevent them from owning weapons or animals. The court has scheduled their return on Dec. 15 to determine a trial date, with a potential maximum sentence of five years in prison for each offender.
The Montreal SPCA aims for justice to prevail in Linus’s case and urges all residents of Quebec to report any instances of animal cruelty or neglect they encounter by dialing 1-855-711-7575.
