Puppy mills are now illegal in Ontario after the province passed the Preventing Unethical Puppy Sales Act (PUPS Act). Critics, however, say the new law might not be very effective.
The PUPS Act, improved after criticism from animal advocates, includes a minimum $10,000 fine for operating a puppy mill and $25,000 for a dog’s death. These fines can multiply for each dog, potentially leading to huge penalties.
The new law also bans inbreeding, breeding a female dog more than three times in two years, and breeding female dogs younger than a year old. It also prohibits acting as a broker for puppy mills.
Ontario’s Animal Welfare Services, which has about 100 inspectors, will enforce these rules. However, there is no new funding or special inspectors for puppy mills.
Solicitor General Michael Kerzner said the new law is a major step in stopping puppy mills and believes it will help hold violators accountable. The government plans to develop regulations to further strengthen the law.
Jess Dixon, a legislator who helped develop the new law, said unethical breeding used to have low risks but high rewards. The new fines introduce significant financial risks for unethical breeders. The law also aims to help Crown attorneys prosecute animal cruelty cases by introducing mandatory minimum sentences.
Despite the new law, animal advocates argue it won’t change much for dogs. They believe a dog-breeding licensing system is necessary, which the government isn’t planning to create.
Lynn Perrier of Reform Advocates for Animal Welfare said the law is a step in the right direction but will be hard to enforce without a licensing system. Donna Powers, president of the Humane Initiative, expressed doubts about the law’s effectiveness, given the lack of resources and a licensing regime.
Camille Labchuk, executive director of Animal Justice, also doubted the law’s impact, calling the government’s promises to shut down puppy mills empty. She pointed out that shutting down a puppy mill requires a long legal process that could take years.
Written By: K. Milhomens