Target: Niki Sharma, Attorney General of British Columbia, Canada
Goal: Ensure that the man who punched a dog faces stricter consequences for the repeated and violent abuse.
A deeply troubling case of animal cruelty has surfaced in Nanaimo, British Columbia, where Matthew Matanovic subjected his 11-month-old Labrador Retriever, Bentley, to a violent attack, resulting in severe injuries. Matanovic brought Bentley to the Central Vancouver Island Veterinary Hospital, admitting to staff that he had brutally beaten the dog in response to an incident of urination in his home. He confessed to punching Bentley multiple times in the head and chest and kicking him, actions that left the dog with a brain bleed, difficulty breathing and walking, seizures, and a swollen face.
Despite the gravity of Bentley’s injuries and the clear evidence of cruelty, Matanovic was fined only $6,000, given a year of probation, and ordered to perform 80 hours of community service. While he expressed remorse and sought counseling after the incident, the sentence has been widely criticized as inadequate given the severity of the abuse. The court’s decision to dismiss two additional animal abuse charges further underscores the need for stronger enforcement of animal cruelty laws.
This case highlights the urgent need for harsher penalties and more rigorous enforcement under the Prevention to Animal Cruelty Act. It is crucial that the Attorney General of British Columbia ensures that those who commit such acts of cruelty face appropriate and severe consequences. Deter future acts of animal abuse and reflect society’s commitment to protecting vulnerable animals.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Attorney General Niki Sharma,
I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the recent sentencing of Matthew Matanovic, who was fined $6,000 and given community service after violently attacking his dog, Bentley, in Nanaimo. According to reports, Matanovic admitted to brutally beating Bentley, a young Labrador Retriever, in response to an incident of urination in his home. The dog sustained serious injuries, including a brain bleed and difficulty breathing and walking, as a result of the attack.
While I acknowledge that Matanovic has expressed remorse and sought counseling following the incident, the sentence handed down does not seem to adequately reflect the severity of the abuse. Bentley’s injuries were significant, and the violent nature of the attack warrants a stronger response under the Prevention to Animal Cruelty Act. The decision to dismiss two additional charges of animal abuse also raises concerns about the message this case sends regarding accountability for such acts of cruelty.
I urge you to review this case and consider advocating for harsher penalties under the Prevention to Animal Cruelty Act to ensure that those who commit acts of animal abuse are held fully accountable. It is essential that the legal system reflects society’s commitment to protecting animals from harm and that stronger measures are in place to deter such behavior in the future.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Nilav Kashyap
Canada has legal problems too. This man killed his dog! Hopefully the dog was put to sleep after such brutality. $ 6000.00 isn’t enough. His community service is BS. No prison? Why? Again I state this man beat his dog to death. An 11 month old dog! This man has severe anger issues and needs mental intervention. Society would be better off if he were living in a mental institution. He is a burden to society. I hope this jerk doesn’t have kids. If they don’t pee in the diaper this guy will keep them. They might end up dead too. It’s a crime to allow a criminal to walk free. He is an evil and disturbed man.