Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68FOCUS - DECEMBER 2016 5 Fly direct from Peterborough Airport 2 games - back to back (first level) JAYS vs INDIANS 2 nights stay - Full hot breakfast buffet daily $1166 per person (inc. tax/based on double occupancy) 158 Casimir St., Port Perry • 905-985-2268 virginia.frew@marlintravel.ca MC TICO #4577532 MARLIN TRAVEL PORT PERRY $1166 per person ( 158 Casimir St., JULY 21-23, 2017 Cleveland, Ohio WRAP UP THE PERFECT GIFT BLUE JAYS BASEBALL WEEKEND “And if a Crown Prosecutor is faced with two cases – a human-to- human crime like murder or sexual assault and an instance of human-to- animal violence – the crime against the human will take precedence. This is one of the primary reasons why I have advocated for the creation of a Specialized Prosecutor for animal- based charges.” As often is true in revising laws, opposition to change exists. “Livestock farmers might object because it could force them to change the way they conduct their businesses and impact profits. Or they may see tougher laws as simply too much regulation. “Hunters may oppose changes be- cause it could interfere with their en- joyment of what they consider ‘sport.’ “In both of those cases, a paradigm shift in society would be needed for substantial change to take place.” Driving any change requires ac- tion, and in 2012, Jennifer made a contribution to the growing interest in this facet of the law. “I co-founded the Ontario Bar Association Animal Law section, only the second province in Canada with a Bar Association section dedicated to Animal Law. That may have increased awareness, but it didn’t change the law.” This kind of passion ultimately drove Jennifer to create her own prac- tice, specializing in Animal Law, after three years at the OSPCA and seven more with the Ontario Horse Racing Commission. “At one time, it would have been impractical to set up a law practice based solely onAnimal Law,” she says of her career evolution. “But attitudes have changed. “I enjoyed my time with both of those organizations. However, with a young family, I wanted a situation where I could control my work-life balance and still devote my profes- sional time to the area of law for which I have always been truly passionate.” Her practice encompasses a wide variety of legal issues. “Cases can range from disputes between individuals – as an example, a neighbour’s dog bites you or injures your pet – to the practices of agricul- tural corporations. “Pet custody cases, after a marital breakdown, are growing in number. So too are ‘pet trusts’: when creating a will, many individuals want to ensure that their beloved pet or pets will be cared for in the event of their death. Other cases encompassed by Animal Law include breeding practices, ani- mal testing, the development of new commercial products such as plant- based vegan products and animal forensics. “In the case of trespassing and animal bites, many people don’t recognize that as an owner, you are ‘vicariously liable’ for your pet’s con- duct, given that the law still regards your pet as property.” The most dire need for legal inter- vention, she says, lies in the agricul- tural environment. “Factory farming represents the greatest abuse of animals. While I am confident that there are numer- ous small, community farms which operate in a more humane fashion, this is not true with most large-scale agricultural operations and food- processing plants. And most people do not make the connection between the treatment of the animal and the food on their plate, so the abuses remain invisible.” Jennifer herself walks the talk. “I am a committed vegan,” she says. “But I left it open for my children to choose for themselves once they were equipped to make that decision. My son, the eldest who’s 9 years old, came to me not long ago to say he wanted to be a vegetarian. Shortly after, my six-year old twin daughters followed suit.” Her Port Perry practice, which opened in the summer of 2016, has been well received, she says. “The response from the community has been excellent. Port Perry is a vi- brant place with a scenic environment. It is a wonderful community in which to reside and operate a business.” It takes strength to venture into an area which is, relatively speaking, unexplored. But as with all trailblaz- ers, a few will courageously pursue the course less travelled and in doing so, will ultimately make a difference. In spite of the glacial pace of change, Jennifer takes heart in knowing laws and public opinion have evolved, even during her 13 years in the legal profession. Many creatures, even though they lack the power of speech, have found their voice. Animal Lawer (continued from page 3) By Scott Mercer, Focus on Scugog