Improved Animal Welfare
The Provincial Animal Welfare Act, came into force on March 1, 2009. This Act significantly updates the Ontario Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals Act, and marks the first wide-ranging changes to Ontario’s animal protection laws since 1919.

Changes include:

New Protection and Investigation Powers
New Provincial Offences
Stronger Penalties
Mandatory Reporting

http://www.mcscs.jus.gov.on.ca/english/animal_welfare/paws.html