Hundreds of people hit the streets of Windsor -- along with their four-legged companions -- to call for stiffer penalties against animal abusers Saturday.

Many of the approximately 400 people protesting animal cruelty in Windsor, Ont., brought their dogs to the Saturday afternoon rally. (Gino Conte/CBC)The protest came in response to the discovery earlier in the week of a dog that had been mutilated and left for dead near a downtown elementary school.

The dog named Tyson had to be euthanized, and its owner, Anjalo Abeywickrema, is now facing criminal charges.

Many of the 400 people at Saturday's rally didn't mince words about what they think of the crime.

"I thought it was so bad," said Tom Curley.

'If we can't protect the most helpless amongst us, then what's it say for the rest of us?'—Mark Smith

"If it would have been my dog, I think I would have killed the guy."

Mark Smith brought his two dogs to march along the Riverfront.

"I was enraged about what was done to that dog. That is pitiful," said Smith.

"If we can't protect the most helpless amongst us, then what's it say for the rest of us? I think that the laws ought to be stiffened up a lot when it comes to that sort of abuse."

'I believe in an eye for an eye'

The charge of causing unnecessary pain, injury or suffering to an animal carries a maximum penalty of five years in jail if it's tried as an indictable offence, but if it is tried as a lesser, summary conviction, then a conviction carries a $10,000 fine or 18 months in jail.

A petition circulated at the rally, supporting efforts by MP Joe Comartin to change legislation to give stiffer punishments to animal abusers. (Gino Conte/CBC)Ben Soulliere, who has fostered abused dogs in the past, said the punishment should fit the crime.

"I know this isn't going to happen, but I believe in an eye for an eye and I think that's what should happen," said Soulliere, who brought his 18-month old Great Dane to the rally.

Lucia Fonso, whose three-year-old daughter believes all animals are her friends, said she was sick to her stomach when she read about Tyson and had to turn off her computer.

"I hope that justice is done and that the justice system sees that people need prison time. What's happening now is not enough."

MP, city councillor seek stiffer penalties

Those at the rally circulated a petition in support of Windsor-Tecumseh MP Joe Comartin's efforts to get a bill passed by the federal government, which would bring in stiffer penalties for animal abusers.

"The major change in it, is it treats animals as sentient beings. It means they feel pain, they have feelings," said Comartin.

City councillor Ron Jones said he would ask mayor and council Monday evening if the city can change any of its bylaws regarding animal cruelty.

"If we have nothing, I'm certainly prepared to introduce something that would indicate that dogs be treated in a humane way," said Jones.

Rally organizer Tammy Deslauriers said another protest was scheduled for Wednesday morning, when Abeywickrema is due in court for a bail hearing.

An additional protest is planned for Friday at 2 p.m. outside Queen's Park in Toronto.

When Abeywickrema was arrested Thursday, he was on parole for stabbing a man to death in 2005. His parole has been revoked and he remains in police custody.