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
Remorse my ass. Maybe Canada will get off its backsidevand punish this turd properly when he turns up at a hospital with a beaten child? Or will his remorse excuse that as well? Absolute joke
This is why people continue to abuse animals, no real consequences. Maybe if the loser of an owner took his dog out to do his duty, or properly trained the dog to let him know he needed out (not that Mattie the Abuser would care) then this would not have happened. His trigger temper and over the top response to this tell me he should be barred from any animal contact for life and kept away from children too.
The news report said this: “Matanovic’s lack of criminal record and current employment status were also factors in sentencing, according to the judge.
“We have a youthful first offender, who unfortunately for him decided to get a puppy to aid his mental health. It likely, tragically in my view and regrettably for Bentley, had the opposite effect. Bentley deserved better, the accused ought to have known better.”
Why is a sick monster human like this given a support animal when he is mentally ill and a danger to the animal?
Stop sacrificing animals safety to “help” these humans that are untreatable. Put this man in a mental institution and give him day passes nd a lifetime ban on pets. Animals are not to be sacrificed to these abusive humans. Animals are not here to service mentally ill humans that pose a threat to them.