The penalties sound far tougher under these new Ontario laws, and I would hope that BC will follow their lead. Maybe these kinds or consequences will have an effect on eliminating millers.

http://www.canada.com/search/story.aspx?id=2c3672f9-ec60-4aa3-949b-98a65fce0292

Kennel owners charged

By Michael-Allan Marion, Expositor Staff
brantford

Friday, February 21, 2003

The owners of a Waterford-area kennel raided by the Ontario SPCA on Valentine's Day are the first to be charged under new provincial legislation designed to eradicate cat and puppy mills.

Shortly after 9 a.m. Friday, Sandra Marie Quinn and William Quinn, who run Cherryvalley Kennels at R5 Waterford, were charged at their home with seven counts under the amended Ontario SPCA Act.

The charges include:

-- Failure to provide adequate medical attention to a sick animal;

-- Failure to provide adequate medical attention when an animal is suffering;

-- Failure to provide adequate water;

-- Failure to provide adequate food;

-- Failure to provide adequate shelter from the elements;

-- Confining dogs with inadequate space;

-- And confining dogs in unsanitary conditions.

If convicted, the breeders could be fined a maximum $60,000 on each count. They also could be jailed for up to two years, and banned from breeding dogs for life.

An angry William Quinn said in a telephone interview shortly after being served the charges that he and his wife will "most definitely" fight the allegations in court.

"What they (the SPCA) have done is definitely all wrong," he said, but did not want to comment on specifics.

The charges are the first under new amendments to the Ontario SPCA Act, passed last year by the provincial government to crack down on the rising number of puppy and cat mills across Ontario.

The SPCA is considering them a test case, to see how effective and appropriate the legislation is, said Lawrence.

The charges are the latest action since officials and vehicles of the SPCA launched a raid on Cherryvalley on Feb. 14 and rescued 125 dogs.

Brant County SPCA officials say they found the animals infested with parasites and their fur severely matted with feces. They were emaciated and dehydrated. Three dogs, one frozen and two half-frozen and two half-burnt, were found dead at the site. Two adult chows were so sick they had to be euthanized quickly.

The animals were moved to various branches of the SPCA, including 21 at the Brant County shelter on Mohawk Street. One of its charges later died.

All dogs remain in the protective custody of the SPCA until the case has been resolved in court.

Quinn maintains that Cherryvalley Kennel is a reputable dog breeding operation.

"We've got people in every part of Canada with dogs we bred," he said. "We have letters galore from all over Canada."

Lawrence said the remaining 20 dogs are being taken, three at a time to a veterinarian to be thoroughly examined.

"Tests and treatment for infections, including urinary tract and mouth infections, treatment for anemia and corrective eyelid surgery for apparently previously ignored conditions are also being undertaken," Dr. Nancy Mehi, director of veterinary services at the Provincial Animal Centre Veterinary Hospital, said in a prepared statement.

"Many of the dogs are receiving treatment for severe tooth and gum disease, with some needing removal of most or all of their teeth."

Lawrence said it was necessary to extract 24 crumbling and rotten teeth from one dog, 18 from a second and nine from the third.

Lack of proper food and water is the reason attributed.

"These are not aged dogs, these are dogs that are still being bred," said Lawrence. "So far, what we've found is pretty horrific."

All dogs remain on an antibiotic treatment with a two-week cycle. All will be tested again at the end of the cycle.

The SPCA has to keep the dogs because, although they were seized, they are only in its custody and remain the property of the owners until the charges are dealt with, said Lawrence.

She also said the dogs will be put up for adoption should they become the property of the SPCA.

But the way the law is written, she added, at this point the owners can still take the pets back if they can pay the society's investigation, care and treatment costs.

So far, the SPCA has estimated the total at $62,000, but Vicky Earle, CEO of the Ontario SPCA, says projected costs will likely far exceed that figure.

Keeping the pooches is seriously taxing the agency, which is relying heavily on an outpouring of public compassion, she said.

People continue to bring in donations. Some stopped by with bags of provisions Friday afternoon while the media were attending the shelter for a cheque presentation.

"I just want to do something to help those poor dogs," one woman, who wouldn't give her name, said after dropping off a bag.

But Earle said more is needed in the weeks ahead to maintain the dogs until the case is resolved one way or another.

"As a registered charity we rely on donations from the public to be able to do our life-saving work," she said. "These animals have already suffered so much."

© Copyright 2003 The Expositor