A petition has been launched seeking changes to the province’s Animal Protection Act.

A number of recent cases have come to light that were reported to police, but it’s since been learned that some of the animals involved were allowed to stay in the home where the alleged abuse occurred.

Sandy Abbott is with the Facebook group NL Hidden Secrets, and launched the petition.

The law was changed several years ago, leaving police with the only way to investigate and respond to suspected animal abuse cases. The SPCA used to have special constables who would carry out the work of removing animals from owners or properties, but those powers were removed in the new law.

Abbott indicates people are frustrated with what they see as a lack of appropriate action.

She says she wants new laws in place to better protect animals. She wants the SPCA’s powers to seize animals to be reinstated, She says police have enough on their plates with other criminal activity.