A beautiful and highly-trained service horse was senselessly murdered on the streets of Toronto recently by someone who clearly does not understand the value of life. Witnesses at the scene were traumatized by the incident, which was undoubtedly a deliberate act of murder.  The police officer riding the horse at the time was hospitalized, but also suffered emotional trauma as a result of losing his working partner.  Others who knew Brigadier suffered immeasurable grief over the loss of this noble equine citizen of Canada--his stable-mates were traumatized by the loss as well as human police officers who attended the memorial service. But all of Canada feels the tragedy of injustice.

A similar incident occurred in 1981 and there was an outcry to have the law changed to protect service animals, as they are protected in other civilized nations.  For some unfathomable reason, Canada did not respond to this need by creating a law to protect our valuable service animals:  dogs and horses who give their lives to make Canada a better place.

We pay our lawmakers a significant amount of money to do their jobs.  And yet, we need to pay close attention to the outcome of our investment.  This time, we need to make sure that the law is amended so that individuals with criminal intent are punished appropriately when they harm an animal.  In this instance, someone got away with murder:  a slap on the wrist in the form of a “dangerous driving” charge.  This is a slap in the face to any Canadian who pays his or her taxes.

What do children learn from an incident like this?  This is important for the future of our nation.  To let anyone get away with a heinous crime of this magnitude can’t help but have an impact on our social values in the future.  This is extremely significant for Canadian society.  This horse was a public figure!  He was a kind individual!!!  Doesn’t Canada value those characteristics?

What about individuals who succumb to road rage?  Do we value that ethos?  Is it ok to take your stupidity out on anyone at all if you think you can get away with it?  Is that what we uphold by giving a dangerous driving charge to a homocidal maniac?

I refuse to let this matter go.  Something must be done.

Send a letter to the Prime Minister and make the law reflect our social values.

Visit the Brigadier's Law site and learn to be empowered.