Mr. Speaker, I move, seconded by the honourable Member for Deh Cho, that Bill 16, An Act to Amend the Dog Act, be read for the second time.

Mr. Speaker, this bill amends the Dog Act to:

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prohibit a person from causing a dog distress;

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enable an officer to take custody of a dog in distress or an abandoned dog;

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enable an officer to apply for a warrant to

search a place, premises or vehicle where he or she has reason to believe a dog in distress is located, and in exigent situations, to enter a place, premises, other than a dwelling-house, or a vehicle without a warrant;

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enable an officer to inspect a place, premises, other than a dwelling-house, or a vehicle for the purpose of enforcing the act;

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increase the penalties for contravening the act and provide for other remedies the court may impose;

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make consequential amendments to the

Charter Communities Act, the Cities, Towns and Villages Act and the Hamlets Act to provide authority to municipal bylaw officers to enforce the act; and

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renumber provisions for convenient reference.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.