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Nov. 20 - Nov. 27, 2011 |
Who will save Canada’s puppies?
Recent rescue mission in Quebec turns spotlight on provincial laws
By Simona Giacobbi
Originally Published: 2011-10-09
While Canada mobilizes to save the over 500 puppies sequestered in a clandestine breeding centre in Quebec, controversy continues to focus on methods used by the provinces in the battle to stop animal abuse.
A report published a few months ago reveals Quebec wears the black hat in North America on the animal mistreatment issue. In other words, it’s the best province in which to operate for breeders who mistreat animals.
The accusation comes days after the blitz by Paws “R” Us in Clarendon, 90 kilometres northeast of Gatineau. Making the accusation is the Animal Legal Defense Fund, an organization with headquarters in the U.S., which in May published a fourth report — the only one of its kind — that included an analysis of laws in various jurisdictions designed to protect animals.
The surprising fact, which few are aware of, is that for the third consecutive year, Ontario is confirmed to be one of the top ranked provinces for animals due to its vast amount of animal protection laws, followed by Manitoba, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. Coming in last in the rankings is Alberta, Northwest Territories, Quebec, and Nunavut. This year, the province of Quebec and the territory of Nunavut are ranked as the worst for animal protection laws.
The Quebec puppy mill raid wasn’t an isolated case. Last month 40 emaciated huskies were discovered chained to trees on a property northwest of Montreal. The discovery of other animals in a well-known private dog pound in Montreal, the Berger Blanc, after an investigation by Radio-Canada, disturbed Quebec as well as the entire nation.
Berger Blanc handles 30,000 animals annually. Montreal is considered the city with the highest percentage of abandoned animals in North America. After the recent episode, Quebec has decided to strengthen norms that regulate the issue and will announce tougher animal welfare laws in coming days. The provincial government, in fact, has for some time now been looking at tightening the screws on what would affect mainly the province’s puppy mills. And many feel Quebec should follow the example set by Ontario.
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