All levels of government are being called on to tighten up legislation around animal cruelty after news broke this week of the April shootings of 56 dogs in the Dawson City area.

The bodies of the dogs were found in a pile. They had been shot to death a day after their owner was informed 15 would be seized by RCMP.

That decision had been made when the animals were found up to their bellies in snow and feces, with only 'guck' in their bowls, as the past president of the humane society in Dawson described to the Star on Tuesday.

Through five territorial governments, Andrea Lemphers has asked for legislation that would tighten up regulations around the protection of animals.

The woman who was a catalyst in developing the Mae Bachur Animal Shelter in Whitehorse in the 1990s had asked for legislation that would amalgamate the various forms of territorial legislation like the Dog Act and the Animal Protection Act, among others.

In the process, Lemphers wanted stiffer sentences and easier ways to prosecute people who mistreat or neglect their animals.

But there's been no action, despite promises from each territorial government elected, including the current Yukon Party government.

'If you own an animal, it's like a tool,' Lemphers said, after learning of the dogs' violent fate yesterday.

Dawson City RCMP told the Star Tuesday that charges have not been laid in the case because it's not against federal, territorial nor municipal laws to shoot an animal if it's done in a humane way.

The dogs were found dead a day after police had warned the owner that 15 would be seized from him.

Both Lemphers and Michael O'Sullivan, the Humane Society of Canada's chair and CEO, agree this case illustrates the need for a change in federal legislation so pets are not viewed as legal property.

Recalling a U.S. court decision which stated pets are neither a person nor property, O'Sullivan said there needs to be legislation in Canada stating the same.

It's too easy, under Canadian law, for people to murder animals, he said in an interview Tuesday.

He described the person who shot the dogs as a 'callous, brutal idiot' who shouldn't be allowed to own animals.

Like Lemphers, O'Sullivan has experienced the same lack of action at the federal level, he said.

Proposed amendments to the federal Criminal Code have been bantered back and forth between the Senate and the House of Commons six times. However, no changes have been made despite such changes being supported by most Canadians, said O'Sullivan.

He believes this case could assist in that public push to change the legislation so charges could result in future cases.

The Star sought the reaction of a Yukon cabinet minister, such as Justice Minister John Edzerza, to the slaughter.

Cabinet spokesman Peter Carr said today no one was available to comment, but the government may respond later to the dogs' deaths.