A grassroots effort is underway to improve the welfare of animals in the custody of animal control officers in Windsor-Essex.
The group, Better Laws for Paws, will hold a Day of Action in municipalities across the region Saturday to demand change for the hiring and tendering of animal control officers.
"We're looking for hiring and tender of animal control workers," Jenn Brooks said. "They need to have a background check. If there's reports against them, then they shouldn't be able to do the job."
The group also wants better living conditions for animals in their care.
"The crates and kennels -- we're looking for the size to be bigger," added Brooks. "Electrical lighting, some type of heating or cooling, good ventilation systems, running water on-site, proofed for all seasons."
It is also demanding new rules for tethering animals and kennels.
One of seven beagles that were stolen from an address in Lakeshore. (Photo courtesy of the OPP)
Recent protests have targeted a property on Lions Club Road in Belle River where the group says seven dogs were kept in unacceptable conditions. Last week, the Ontario Provincial Police reported it was investigating a theft involving the dogs. The group denies any involvement.
Related story: Seven dogs stolen in Lakeshore
Brooks has already collected thousands of signatures through those demonstrations and hopes more people will sign petitions on Saturday.
The Municipality of Lakeshore, last weekend, said it was willing to review its animal welfare bylaws, but Brooks is skeptical.
"Just to compare in paper, Lakeshore's bylaws are like seven pages. Kingsville and Essex are running 45 and 47 pages. It's a huge difference," she said. "I really hope that they are, and it's going to happen, but I mean, if we can get more people out there to say, 'hey, you've really got to do this,' maybe it'll move along a little bit faster."
Demonstrators will collect signatures and draw paws on the sidewalks in front of municipal halls. The times of each event will be staggered.
The times and locations are:
* In front of Lakeshore Municipal Hall at 419 Notre Dame Street in Belle River from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
* Under the clock at the four corners near Kingsville Town Hall from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
* In front of the LaSalle Civic Centre at 5950 Malden Road from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
* In front of Tecumseh Town Hall at 917 Lesperance Road from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
* In front of Leamington Town Hall at 111 Erie Street North from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
* In front of Essex Town Hall at 33 Talbot Road South from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
* In front of Amherstburg Town Hall at 271 Sandwich Street South from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
* In front of Windsor City Hall at 350 City Hall Square West from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The group also hopes those who can not join the demonstration will draw a paw on the sidewalk in front of their home in solidarity.