http://www.news.ontario.ca/mcscs/en/2009/03/ontarios-animal-protection-law-strongest-in-canada.html

Ontario's Animal Protection Law Strongest In Canada

March 2, 2009 3:02 PM
McGuinty Government Includes Specific Coverage For Law Enforcement Animals

Ontario now has the strongest animal protection law in Canada.

The Provincial Animal Welfare Act, which took effect on March 1, 2009:

Establishes standards of care for all animals.
Introduces penalties for causing harm to any animal including jail terms of up to two years, fines of up to $60,000 and a potential lifetime ownership ban.
Creates a specific offence for causing harm to a law enforcement animal, such as a police horse or dog.
Other key elements include:

New provincial offences for causing or permitting distress to an animal.
Authorizing the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) to inspect places where animals are kept for entertainment, exhibition, boarding, sale or hire, including zoos, pet shops and circuses.
Requiring veterinarians to report suspected abuse and neglect, and protecting them from personal liability for doing so.
The act amends the OSPCA Act and marks the most significant changes to animal legislation in the province since 1919.