CFHS Statement on sentencing of Paul Joseph Vukmanich

Kim Elmslie —

dog-killer-ctvnews.ca-FI

Paul Joseph Vukmanich sentence too short say critics
Drawing courtesy CTV-News

The Candian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHC) agrees with Justice Larry Anderson that Paul Joseph Vukmanich deserves a longer sentence than 26 months which was recommended by the Crown and Defense attorneys for the killing of Edmonton Police dog Quanto.  The CFHS is also disappointed that there was no restitution order issued – the Crown was seeking $40,000.

Vukmanich was high on drugs and fleeing from police when he repeatedly stabbed Quanto, an Edmonton police dog, in the line of duty. Mr. Vukmanich pled guilty to six charges of animal cruelty earlier in the week.

In October the federal government committed to passing “Quanto’s law” which creates a new offence under the police and peacekeeping officers section of the Criminal Code of Canada for the killing of a police service animal.

The CFHS fully supports the passing of Quanto’s Law as it recognizes the importance of police services animals and the risks they take to protect us – often at a tremendous cost as witnessed in the case of Quanto.  In his victim impact statement Constable Matt Williamson (Quanto’s partner) stated that Quanto “fearlessly fulfilled” his role as protector.

The CFHS wants to draw attention to the woefully outdated and inadequate animal cruelty provisions that currently exist within the criminal code.  These laws have remained largely unchanged since they were enacted in 1892 by Queen Victoria!

The CFHS strongly encourages the government to pass Quanto’s law and to then immediately take the steps necessary to creating laws that will protect all animals in Canada from cruelty.

For more information contact: kime@cfhs.ca

613-224-8072 ex. 12