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Ontario announces crackdown on puppy mills

New legislation will create fines of $10,000 to $25,000 for unethical dog breeders
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(ASPCA)

QUEEN'S PARK — The Ontario government is taking steps aimed at discouraging unethical dog-breeding operations, often called puppy mills.

Due to the inferior quality of care they provide, dogs sold by puppy mills may have numerous health conditions such as parvovirus and behavioural issues.

Solicitor General Michael Gerzner introduced legislation Monday called the Preventing Unethical Puppy Sales (PUPS) Act.

It would amend the existing Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) Act and impose penalties of $10,000 to $25,000 for violators.

The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society welcomed the announcement, calling it an important step toward protecting dogs from unethical breeders and addressing the issue of puppy mills throughout the province.

Proposed changes under the PUPS Act include prohibiting:

  • breeding a female dog more than three times in a two-year period, or breeding more than two litters from a female dog's consecutive heat cycles
  • breeding a female dog less than a year old
  • failure to keep a dog with a contagious disease away from other dogs or animals
  • failure to ensure a dog's environment is sanitary and free from accumulation of waste
  • separating a puppy from its mother before the age of eight weeks

A minimum penalty of $10,000 would be levied against puppy mill operators, while any violations resulting in a dog's death would carry a fine of $25,000.

Other amendments would allow the province to develop regulations to set conditions for selling or transferring a dog, and to establish regulations for record-keeping.

The government also plans to hold consultations on regulations related to medically unnecessary procedures for dogs and cats, including declawing, tail docking, ear cropping, and debarking, and to establish a framework for administrative monetary penalties.




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