Animal Save Movement has called the charges brought against the killer of Regan Russell: “Feeble and do not amount to justice”

Following an investigation in the death of Regan Russell, a Hamilton animal rights activist, the Halton Region police have charged a 28-year-old man from North Perth, Ontario, with careless driving.

 The police have laid charges under the Highway Traffic Act. While withholding the person’s identity, the police clarified that there has been no indication of a criminal offence based on evidence.

In a statement, Supt. Kevin Maher said: “There were no grounds to indicate this was an intentional act, or that a criminal offence had been committed,”

“This investigation included the interview of several witnesses, analysis of physical evidence, and a technical reconstruction of the collision,” he added. “In addition, video footage that captured the entirety of the incident was reviewed by investigators.”

The tragic incident occurred on June 19, in which vegan advocate Regan Russell was struck by a truck driving pigs into a Burlington slaughterhouse.

‘Feeble and do not amount to justice’

Activists of the Animal Save Movement condemned the decision and protested at the Halton Police station for dispensing light charges against the driver.

Anita Krajnc, co-founder of Animal Save Movement, demanded access to the full video footage of the incident obtained by police, so that it could be independently reviewed.

“These charges are feeble and do not amount to justice for Regan,” she said.

Enough is enough – how many more lives will be lost at the hands of Sofina and Fearmans before they agree to a safety policy?

“They’ve rejected these calls far too long and have Regan’s blood on their hands – we will not rest until Bill 156 is repealed.”

‘Disappointed’

“We are disappointed by the lack of criminal charges, and would like respect and time in digesting this information,” said the Powell family in a statement.

“Losing Regan has been a terrible experience, and the lax charge in response to her death has only made that pain deeper.

“Grief is now compounded by anger, frustration, and confusion. We will be taking the time we need to reflect on this information. Our family is committed to revealing the truth in Regan’s death, and will be pursuing all avenues before us that work to that end.”

Animal rights organization PETA released a statement, in which President Ingrid Newkirk said: “Today’s charges must be upgraded to reflect the death of a kind and gentle soul who did no wrong.

“Regan Russell spent her last moments on Earth showing kindness to animals, and everyone can honour her memory by going vegan.”

‘Regan Bill of Animal Rights’

The Animal Save Movement group also demanded that the Ontario government immediately repeal Bill 156, and replace it with a “Regan Bill of Animal Rights.”

Krajnc said that such a bill would “protect the right of protesters to protest in safety, defend whistleblowers, recognize the personhood of pigs and other animals, and replace meat subsidies with subsidies to transition our food system to a completely vegan, plant-based one.”

• Read: Joaquin Phoenix attends vigil to honour fallen animal activist Regan Russell

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Mohsina Dodhiya

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