Rescued Blainville pooch: Uncertain future, grooming photo: Courtesy of the SPCA

In 2002, the government mandated a new organisation called ANIMA Québec to uphold section IV.1.1 of law P-42, which is the law that guarantees the sanitary standards of companion animals. The law went into effect in January of this year and inspections began in the month of June. According to Nicole Blouin, communications specialist for ANIMA, at present the para-governmental agency has two inspectors out in the field for the entire territory of Quebec and is in a difficult place financially. ANIMA cannot legally solicit funding from the general public since the government does not want any competition with the SPCA for donations. Therefore ANIMA is left with no other recourse but to solicit funding from corporations. The government will match the donations that ANIMA receives dollar for dollar, but it gets no additional funding on top of that.

This year Blouin says ANIMA raised $150,000 to fulfill their mandate. "This is nothing!" she states. Though the agency has only five employees at the moment, according to Blouin, "We are not ready to be everywhere [in Quebec] but we are ready and... we do the best with what we have."

The SPCA, says Barnoti, has told the Quebec government they are willing to take over. "We have nine inspectors... we are prepared to train more, we are prepared to finance more." Both the SPCA and ANIMA have been working on an "entente to be able to collaborate on different levels," says Blouin, particularly when it comes to inspectors, however they are waiting on approval by the Ministry of Agriculture. As ANIMA is the agency mandated to enforce the law, the SPCA cannot prosecute like it can in other provinces. Says Barnoti, "In Ontario the animal welfare act is [called] the SPCA act."

Quebec has the worst reputation Canada-wide for its treatment of animals. It has the highest animal abandonment rate and we take our animals to the vet less often than the other provinces. One reason Barnoti cites for the failure of the law at present is government fears of a loss in revenue - that if the SPCA is given expanded power to prosecute, "[the SPCA] are going to close every puppy mill, that we are not going to see any pets in pet shops any more, we are going to lose taxes, we are going to lose jobs." Though when regulations have been imposed in other provinces the results have been favourable. "They have more pets [in Ontario] than we have in Quebec. The pet industry did not collapse," says Barnoti.

The fate of the Blainville dogs will remain undecided until such time as the suspect involved legally releases the dogs to the SPCA.

 
 

		Write your comment on this article!

Twinklepuppies or Twinklepups has changed names!!!! Important     Hi....I just happened to come across this forum and thought I would let everyone know that Melanie and her "Twinklepuppies" or "Twinklepups" or whatever false name she has ever gone under has now changed names to "Countrypuppies". Here is the link: http://www.countrypuppies.piczo.com/?cr=6 I am very against puppy mills and plan on doing whatever I can to stop this woman from hurting any more animals. She has the nerve to say that she only has one female when we all know that is bull!!! Her puppies are sick and yet no one can stop her from doing what she does. Horrible :(
Sheri Grant		April 6th, 2009
Humanity     I don't think that animal abuse is any higher in Quebec than elsewhere. This constant comparison of Ontario to Quebec is redundant and typical of English Quebecers. It isn't laws that will help the current situation but a societal change in consciousness and awareness that all species deserve respect. Unfortunately, these puppies were treated as industrial products and not as living breathing animals but the way they were treated is typical to how chickens and cattle are treated and they don't make the headlines because they provide us with food. It is also the way a lot of women and children are treated in sweatshops but they make the clothes on our backs and the toys for children here, so they don't make the headlines. How do you stop this from happening? Find out where the pets you buy, the food you eat and the clothes you wear come from. Stop treating people and animals as disposable products or commodities. It would require for a whole change of mentality - I hope we are ready for it.
Mel Roach	{13 votes}	November 22nd, 2005
Re: it's expensive to raise a pet     Having a pet IS very expensive but this is no excuse for the province-wide problem of dog abandonnent. People should be aware when buying or adopting a dog or cat that the proper care of them can be quite costly, just as the cost of raising children can be quite costly. In this country we do not find abandonned children by the side of the road because their parents could not afford to care for them, but we do find abandonned dogs and cats. The reason for this? Animals are seen as posessions in this society and like all posessions, are thrown out when we tire of playing with them. The answer to this problem is not inexpensive vet costs. Rather, it is to respect all life and give to our animal companions the care, love and dignity that they deserve.
Casssandra Ivy	{16 votes}	November 21st, 2005
All Animals Should Be Treated The Same     Generations ago farm animals were raised out in the open fields with lots of sunshine and fresh air. In recent years these animals have been kept indoors in crowded noisy fetid conditions so that they can can be fattened up as quickly and as cheaply as possible. The animals are under extremely high stress and have to be feed antibiotics to prevent them from dying of disease. I am not at all surprised that companion animals are also being raised in these horrible circumstances. It is nothing personal just the economic pressures of the marketplace. All animals not just pets deserve protection from this barbarity.
Stephen Talko	{6 votes}	November 21st, 2005
Man's Best Friend     Are you obliged to be nice to someone who is nice to you? From a purely gaming perspective, if for whatever reason you desire the other person to continue being nice to you, then yes, in your own interest, probably so. If you don't care however, then I guess you really don't give a fig. Dogs can take a lot of shit before they turn on their owners/minders, and I have a theory why this is so: their owners really don't care that much because the power relationship is ridiculously lop sided. From womb to grave, dogs are reared to be entirely dependent on their owners, so essentially the owner holds all the aces. This aside from the fact that a dog is not even a person, and so has none of the rights that persons have. That said, I believe that brutality towards or neglect of the care of living things under ones supervision are indicative of some grave disorder at work in the supervisor. Dogs being our dependents might realise, in some doggie way, that they are replaceable and we don't owe them nothing. All the same, noblesse oblige, and any decent person really would. I am in favour of increasing the penalties for animal torturers, but I think they could do with psychiatric evaluation and a bit of re-education as well. Their problems likely run deep. As bad as it makes me feel, viscerally speaking, to see animals in privation, however, I do believe that my emotional response is better spent getting my dander up at things like Darfur, Rwanda, Kosovo and Armenia because the atrocities in those cases concern human beings vis a vis property, which, let us face it, animals are in 2005. Until this changes, PETA can shed my share of tears for me. I am not a Dog Lover, I am a Dog Liker.
Robert Bichage	{27 votes}	November 19th, 2005
News flash!     I don't know about you but these depraved bastards deserve to be strung up and fed to the poor animals they abused out of sheer greed. God, calling what's been done to these animals 'abuse' is a sick joke. The level of inhumanity involved in running these sort of mills makes you wonder if these people even have souls. I feel bad when I step on my dog's paw in the dark. I hear the yelp and I automatically feel rotten...and that's accidental injury I'm taling about. What these people do is willful and conscious. That, I will never grasp. How far gone do you have to be to inflict pain on a defenseless animal for the sake of breeding them for cash? ~ The ultimate irony to all of this is that we're expected to show grace, respect and patience when dealing with these people because we've got the word of law to follow when none of these bastards can follow the basic notions of decency and kindness to creatures that essentially ask for little else.
Pedro Eggers	{12 votes}	November 18th, 2005
It Must Stop!     When I learned of the Blainville mill story it broke my heart, the pictures show the truth that so many people think nothing of. How can any animal go through such pain and suffering and still live, we must stop this suffering please help the animals free them from hell. As it has been said Quebec is full of Puppy Mills, some worse than others ( they are all bad ) I know myself about a Quebec mills, I have 2 dogs from this one of them and know of many others that were born sick and diseased. They need help, I am trying with many others to close the mill and help the animals be free of greed and pain. I have been down felt like giving up, I seem to be getting no where after 2 years of fighting. But then I think of the barn with all the mother's, father's and pups. A cold long winter is coming and again they wait. I can't give up, I must fight till the end and pray everyday that it will be over soon. To Pierre Barnoti, executive director of the SPCA and all the others that are trying to help Thank You! Sincerely,
Lorie Gordon	{15 votes}	November 17th, 2005
Do Unto Others     I suggest the creep(s) who ran this puppy mill be prosecuted to the full extent of the law - unfortunately it sounds like there is no law with any teeth in Quebec when it comes to animals. While the SPCA and ANIMA boondoggle over what duties each will have, and the government dithers about getting involved at all, puppy mills are proliferating all over the place. The people who run these things are subhuman. To think that animals have no feelings and don't care how they are treated or whether or not they are cleaned and fed shows up the absolute arrogance of the human race. We're bigger, stronger, and we can "tell" someone when we're being abused, so most people think twice about doing it to another human. Animals, however, are defenceless, and for someone to attack a defenceless being, whether animal or human infant, is reprehensible to the point of nausea. What will these people get charged with - assuming someone can be pinned as the owner/operator of this vile operation? A $300 or $400 fine? The fines are bigger than that for littering. It's time some teeth were put into this law. I say let them be treated the way they treated the animals. Cage them for a month with only sporadic handfulls of dry food thrown through the bars, one bowl of water which won't be refreshed until it is growing mold, no showers, no access to any facilities whatsoever - they can lie in their own excrement for a month and see how they like it. And for every dog that ends up being euthanized from this mill, add another month to the sentence. But, no, that won't happen because our laws are "humane" - if you're a person. What an oxymoron the term "humane society" is. Society is full of evil, Godless people, but those who prey on the defenceless are the true white-trash of humanity.
Sue Davies	{12 votes}	November 17th, 2005
Poor pups.     It makes me sick thinking about these poor pups being kept in these horrible conditions, not being fed or loved. I really do not understand how anyone could treat animals this way. I recently bought a puppy from a pet store. I got a lot of flak from people telling me that I shouldn't buy dogs from pet stores because it supports puppy mills. My argument was that puppy mills are not going anywhere because of Quebec's practically non-existent animal rights laws and by buying a dog from a pet store at least one of the puppy mill pups will grow up in a loving and caring home. This article supports my argument. Quebec needs to step up to the plate and start protecting these animals. Strict laws and hefty fines must be imposed. This is ridiculous. I have come across many breeders in my day. Even breeders that follow the letter of the law usually have less than ideal conditions for their operations. To me, even breeders that are recognized by the Canadian Kennel Club are not treating these animals well. The bottom line is that when breeders and puppy mill owners look at animals they don't see living breathing things they see dollar signs. When my puppy got sick and I contacted the breeder (or puppy mill for all I know) that the pet store had gotten the dog from, the breeder told me "Don't worry if the dog dies we will replace it at no cost". WHAT! I couldn't believe what I was hearing. This women did not want to take responsibility for breeding sick puppies and wanted me to bring the dog to her specific vet. She called him a "super-vet". Sound to me like this "super-vet" is a "super-fraud" who works with the breeder to reduce her costs and liability. In the end, the breeder took no responsibility for the sick pup. In my mind, if you are unsure of how to treat your dog or in what conditions your dog should live in the rule of thumb is to ask yourself, "would this be fit for my children?" if the answer is no then it's probably not fit for your dog either.
Kara Hughes	{12 votes}	November 17th, 2005
boston     I too adopted a Boston from twinkle puppies, biggest mistake ever ...never again will i adopt from her . I dont understand why these ppl do these things and get away with it this has to stop!!! Sorry to say i no longer have this puppy!
Tracey Lambert		February 7th, 2009
Puppy mill in Ormstown Quebec called twinklepuppies     they have changed their website for www.twinklepups.piczo.com they still have the same pictures and dogs , they sell tons of dogs and they all come from the same breeder , chantal something, she has a shed filled with dogs .. you should see it , next time you go and get your dog from Melanie Jubinville's house ask to go and see where the parent's come from , or if she sends you to Chantal's place ... make sure to look in the back of her house , their is a barn.. that's where all her dogs live , pugs , bostons , boxers. bernese mountain dog , maltese , yorkshire... When I went to go and pick up my boston there (that died 2 days after) I had noticed that their was a barn in the back , go closer and you will hear barking !! BEWARE I know what I am talking about.....
Leah Adorable		December 19th, 2008
Twinklepuppies     We live in another province and have come across an ad for a puppy in Quebec from Twinklepuppies. Has anyone else had any dealings with these people??
molly weber		June 6th, 2008
Parvo Puppies     Twinklepuppies.com and melanie Jubinville sell parvo puppies. We bought a Berner in Nov, 2007 and it died within the week. the replacement puppy ended up with parvo within the week also. We had over $400 in vet bills for each puppy. Our second puppy pulled through. Melanie Jubinville should be put out of business. the vet she used seemed to not care that parvo had been brought into his clinic.
Vicki Gentler		April 2nd, 2008
ADD YOUR VOICE -- SIGN THE PETITION TO SAVE THE BLAINVILLE WIRES     http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/no-dogs-for-laporte
Christine Downs		December 5th, 2007
Stop the Puppy Mills     Puppy Mills would be out of business if people would either adopt or do their research and buy from a breeder that is trusted. Please, if you know anyone that wants a pet, DISCOURAGE them from going to pet stores.
Aya Ito		March 4th, 2006
Change     I think that everyone in Quebec should read this article. I am 14 years old and at Villa Maria. I am always so upset when people talk to the class about how they have gotten an adorable new puppy and what a great deal it was at Safari Pet Store. Inside I am going on a 20 minute rant about how horrible that is. Recently my family bought a beagle from the SPCA. She came from a family with kids who had bought her from (you guessed it) a petstore. She is a wonderful dog but you can tell that she has been abused. When she hears loud noises she puts her tail between her legs and hides and starts shaking. If you tell her no in a stern voice and tap her lightly when she has done something bad, she will freak out like she thinks you're going to start hitting her. I really really REALLY want to change Quebec's laws on puppy mills but am not sure how. The puppies dont have voices and we do so why not help them? It is truly disgusting to see what people in Quebec are doing to these poor animals. Who is in charge of the laws on puppy mills? Can anyone help me out?
Jillian Ward		December 28th, 2005
I have to censor myself on this one.     After reading and re-reading this article and comments, I have so many thoughts - structured or not - that I don't know where to start. Firstly, If you don't already know and have been living under a rock of denial, please for the love of god visit, www.peta.org We are such selfish human beings, it's disgusting. How many cases of animal abuse does this retarded province/country need in order to start taking action and properly prosecuting. An animal is like a child, helpless and totally dependant on someone else. Would you leave your child on the side of the road because you're moving and there is no room in your next place? Would you create a mill out of orphans and force them to live in their own excrements and piss, all the while not feeding them or giving them water? WHY IS ANIMAL ABUSE TAKEN LIGHTLY? IN QUEBEC AND EVERYWHERE ELSE IN THIS WORLD? I am not going to turn this post into a defensive animal rights protest, but for cripes sake, seriously, situation like that in Blainville happen too often these days. It's tiem to geth a move on. I can barely not feel guilty if my rabbit doesnt have enough pellets for an hour or if my dog is not properly made warm during the winter seasons and such. Where has any compassion we have as humans gone? Crap like this proves we are not becoming sweeter humans, only more pshycotic selfish, violent and the works. We slaughter animals for food and clothes all the time, things never change right?I just don't get it. I am repulsed by this. I don't even know what to say.
Angelina Gallo		December 27th, 2005
Totally disgusted     I am totally disgusted with this notion that the"law must be followed" in a case such as this. If it were a human child that were being neglected in such a barbaric manner, they would be immediately removed. So what is this deal of waiting until the owner "legally releases the dogs"? That is a bunch a crap, how many more days must they suffer and live in that environment because the law takes time, and God know how long these sick people will take to decide they must release these poor animals. The saddest of all however, is that these poor creatures being raised in an environment as this have very slim chances of rehabilitation into a normal life style. Because of their cannablistic tendencies for survival they may never be trusted with a human or another animal as you would never know when they would snap. I think these people should not only have a heavy fine put on them, let's say they made $300,000.00 for the year, that should be the fine. It is time the cities who have to bear the burdon of ultimately caring for these poor creatures buck up and make the people who caused the problem pay, and pay dearly. Only in this way may the harm from indiscriminate breeders hopefully be stopped.
Darlene Jevning		December 7th, 2005
Severe crime should mean severe punishment     Unfortunately, cruelty exists everywhere - violent crime, rape, torture of prisoners or other captives. I abhor all forms of cruelty but when it is directed to those who are particulary helpless and can do nothing to save themselves (animals, children, the elderly) it is even more disgusting. There should definitely be more stringent laws and harsher punishments for those who commit such heinous crimes towards animals - if the same had been done to people, the perpetrators would be imprisoned due to the gravity of their criminal acts. How can the sole punishment be a mere fine of about $300? Aren't animals worth more than that? Through years of lenient sentences on animal abuse, Quebec has in effect been condoning these terrible acts. Of course it will cost money to have an effective team of inspectors, but surely from repeated instances such as the deplorable Blainville case, the investment is warranted. Would more severe punishment be a sufficient deterrent? I personally cannot help but feel that people who commit such inhuman acts have something mentally wrong with them. It is not until these people realise that they have a problem (as would be evident through more severe punishment, which could include the need to get psychiatric help) that they will be more able to see the need that they stop their actions and seek some kind of help.
Ellen Reid	{1 vote}	November 23rd, 2005
What has the world come too     I have mixed emotions due to this article. I don't know if I'm more disgusted by it, saddened or angry. How anyone can purposely harm a defenseless animal shocks me. I've always felt worse for sick animals rather then sick human beings because at least a person can say how they feel or show it easier then a little puppy who's sick and in pain. Abuse on animals should be equivalent to any other sort of physical abuse. Forget giving these inhumane disgusting breeders fines. I say throw them into jail! That's where they belong! Any person who can harm a living creature is sick in the head and deserves nothing better then to pay for their cruel behavior. A $300 fine is an insult to pet lovers every where. Even pet haters are disgusted by this. It's time that the SPCA and ANIMA fix these problems. I don't see why the government can't fund them extra cash. Where the hell does my tax money go?!? I pray to God that this all changes. I hope these little pups can be saved and I hope this violence ends.
Cathy Spathis	{1 vote}	November 22nd, 2005
If you can't take care of a dog then don't have one.     It is sad to see stories like these ones , they are happening all the time . I sometimes watch the Pet Patrol on the Bell Express Vu channels on TV and the same thing happens in the USA. It is a big business for some people. They feed the animals garbage and they don't care for them and then they let them reproduce over and over again. They sell the dogs or cats at a pretty high price to the pet stores who should not be buying dogs from these types of breeders. But the pet store is going to double the price and get paid as much as the breeder with even less pf a hassel. There isn't enough control and the control we do have unfortunately don't have the power to arrest and sentence people in many cases. They just get fines and then they start all over again .Worst is all those people who buy those cute little puppies and then go crazy because they are not house broken and they give the dogs to these breeders and sometimes they end up at the SPCA. There is alot of work envolved in having a pet , as much as having a child.Yes there is alot of cost envolved too. So if you don't want the trouble or the cost don't get a pet.
Maria Cecillia Silva	{5 votes}	November 20th, 2005
One Down,     Firstly, I would like to applaud the Hour for its article concerning the carnage at dog-breeding operations within the province of Quebec. Despite the exploitation of animals worldwide being one of the most common, inhumane, and vicious calamaties of the 21st century, it has also been one of the most most ignored. So you think puppy mills in the province of Quebec are bad? What about the 3,000+ puppy mills in the State of Missouri that generate a whopping $2 billion dollars per annum? What about the 48 Billion animals slaughtered every year for food and fabric for humans? Or the 180,000 animals that die in one company's research labs annually? I am extremely grateful that a popular media vehicle such as The Hour has covered a story so important and in need of attention. Thank you! However, keep in mind that until we, as humans, take action against the atrocities being committed to our animal counterparts, we aren't doing much at all. Please check out www.peta.org for more information on cruelty to animals.
Aleah Loney	{2 votes}	November 19th, 2005
Take better care..     It's just awful to see the pictures of the poor dogs that this Blainville breeder has created. It makes me angry too that we let it go this far. And when reading this article little did I know that Quebec has the worst reputation, and I love animals and I live here? It's a criminal act to let animals starve and live in terrible conditions just as much as it would be for a person. The worst is that because it happens to animals it's ok if nobody says anything right away... afterall the animale cant speak to cry out for help. What do we know? It's grateful to have an organization like ANIMA but now we are depending on a low funded and under-staffed organization to save the animals in our province, why isn't there more help from the government and our own law-inforcers? And it is sad that there is a lack of shelter to take in all the strays and that people still don't believe in the importance of spaying and neutering their pets to avoid over-population.
Andrea Silva	{3 votes}	November 19th, 2005
Animals are God's creation- they should be cared for     Cruelty to animals is totally unacceptable. I actually saw this story on the six o'clock news and i just couldn't believe it. Before airing the story on Pulse , there was actually a "viewer's discretion" warning. The video footage was horrifying (this is an understatement) - to see dead dog carcasses and emaciated dogs eating their own waste is GROTESQUE. As a Montrealer, I am ashamed to know that Quebec has the worst reputation in Canada towards cruelty to animals. The people responsible for this, without any question, should be sentenced to time in prison.
Marianne Quinto		November 19th, 2005
It's expensive to raise a pet!     Although it is no excuse, one reason people abandon pets is because they can no longer afford to keep them. A trip to the vet costs about $30 just for a consultation, over $50 for vaccines, spaying or neutering is usually over $100 for a cat! Not to mention the cost of food! The problem might ease a little of vets didn't charge so much and if there were more low cost spay/neuter programs that are well advertised. As for people who run puppy mills, shame on them, and shame on the government for giving such piddly consequences when they catch an animal abuser!
Nancy Garbish		November 18th, 2005
A disgrace to all living beings     We are all connected. To participate in the abuse of fellow living beings that we share the planet with is unforgiveable, horrifying and criminal. I have to say that I am not suprised though since Quebec's animal protection laws and rights are the laughing stock of the entire continent. Only in Quebec would this criminal get away with a light tap on the wrist. It's time that people start respecting fellow living beings and stop treating animals like "accessories" that have no feelings. Now who was it that said you can tell a lot about a society by how they treat animals and those who are fragile?!!?
Claudia Melchiorre		November 18th, 2005
Sorry lot of humans!     This story is ample proof that we need very stringent laws regulating the breeding of dogs and cats. What a sad commentary on human nature that we cannot protect those who are in a vulnerable position. It is time that neighbors who suspect maltreatment of animals step forward and file a complaint and that authorities take these complaints seriously and close down these puppy/cat mills. Why not make the punishment suit the crime? Confiscate the house, farm, etc. where this activity took place. That might make these greedy, heartless people think twice before embarking on such ventures. Maybe we can stuff them into a tiny dirty cage with no food. Punishment should fit the crime. Anybody purchasing a pet should buy from a reputable breeder where the buyer can visit the home and meet the parents. Even better, go to the local animal shelter and rescue a dog or cat who is waiting for a home.
Patricia Boyle	{3 votes}	November 18th, 2005
Clandestine Breeding     I don't feel comfortable about the SPCA taking over this doghouse when just a few years ago they were the object of an investigation on their practices. Seems like Barnoti has a short memory about that. The issue here should be about taking care of our four legged friends and not about fostering political manoevres so that puppy mills can continue to thrive. What's more this type of news is an indication of humanity in decline; the more I hear about animal abuse the more I am aware of inhumanity and society's apparent inablity to keep these clandestine breeders in check.
Martin Dansky	{4 votes}	November 18th, 2005
What Does This Say About Us?     Quebec has an international reputation as being progressive, fair-minded and believing that everyone deserves rehabilitation and a "second chance." In other words, we are known for our compassion. So I ask, how can a province with such a sterling reputation world-wide for our compassion to other human beings tolerate this tortuous treatment of our domestic animal companions? What is truly startling is not that Quebec has puppy mills operating within its borders, but that we have the highest number of these deplorable establishments and that these places are far worse than puppy mills found elsewhere in Canada and North America. We need to demand that our government passes legislation requiring strict minimal standards by breeders and the penalties for breaking this law should be stiff, indeed. As with so many other things in our world that are unjust or cruel, if the profit is removed from the practice, the practice disappears or changes. This is not a minor issue. The way we treat our animals is a direct reflection of our values as a people. Quebec proudly has an excellent reputation to which we should proudly live up. But this reputation must include respect for our animals as well. We as a people should be embarrassed that we have NOT demanded better of our governement on this issue.
Michael Fein	{2 votes}	November 18th, 2005
Individual responsability and respect for life     I dont understand how people can mistreat animals. Today we see dogs on television but we all saw some very bad looking cats on the streets (abandoned or mistreated) and I know people who adopted parrots that have been abused by their previous owners (they count talk so they were not properly care for). I think if you dont have time to take care of your pet or if you cant take it to the vet when it needs treatments then you shoulnt have one. It is not only about SPCA or ANIMA but about individual responsability and respect for life.
Isabelle Gélinas	{1 vote}	November 17th, 2005
Where the Quebec corporation fails     It is really funny to see HOW much the Quebec Model intrudes into our lives and doesn't do a good job. The Quebec model has given us higher alcohol prices (thanks to a lovely monopoly), increase tax payment from filling out a Quebec income tax form (distrust of those evil federalists), a Caisse Populaire that wasted our tax dollars with a sale of Videotron to Quebecor (who isn't doing too well with the purchase) and now this. It seems the Quebec Model is to have the government do everything for us, even if other organizations does it better. This animal cruelty act is exactly what is wrong with the Quebec model. For one reason is that the government doesn't have the experience, nor structure to deal with such problems. For another they seem to not adequately fund these projects. They also have a hard time grabbing funding because most companies will already have donated money to organizations that do the same thing (SPCA). Like has anyone ever of ANIMA? This is the first time I've known such an organization to exist. As far as I'm concerned the SPCA was the ones responsible for protecting animals in this province but I guess I was wrong. So while the SPCA can find the guilty party, they cannot do anything about it according to the law, except tell ANIMA. And then ANIMA has to go through the process of bringing these criminals to justice. It's a bureaucratic nightmare I'm afraid. Perhaps a solution would be to increase the fines to those guilty of animal cruelty to help fund ANIMA, so they can hire more people. Otherwise this situation is where the Quebec Model, the Model where the government interferes in our everyday lives, has failed. Their animal police force consists of 5 people, which is hardly enough to inspect the entire province of Quebec. They give it a paltry budget to enforce the law. The one organization that does have the expertise, money and manpower to deal with it, can't. Why? Because they aren't owned by the government.
Alexander Yu	{2 votes}	November 17th, 2005
All abuses are terrible     This awful story is about abuse. And all abuses are terrible. A few weeks ago, Paul Arcand's documentary Les Voleurs d'enfance woke us up about the big problem of chidren's abuse. Regularly, we hear about women and seniors' abuse. Some people say that animals' abuse is less important. But have they forgotten that WE also ARE animals? The way humans treat other animals tells a lot about how they treat other humans. We are the only race who commits horrible acts just motivated by nastiness, and the only one who is capable of murders gratuitously. None other animal race kills just for fun. And killing or abusing humans or other animals gratuitously is unacceptable. Other animals aren't less important than us, and this terrible kind of abuse should be severly punished. But we should also wonder about all animals' abuses. The way they are treated in laboratories (do they really have to be martyrized to serve science?), the way we breed them to kill and eat them... When humans will have just a little more respect for other animals it will appear in the way they will treat other humans, and everybody will then feel better.
Rémi Caradot	{2 votes}	November 17th, 2005
Sentence the Owner to House Arrest     I can't believe that this could happen in Quebec, what is the world comming to? I think that the owner should have to live under similar conditions for some period of time. When I heard on news that the court would let him keep some of the dogs while he prepairs for further legal defense/appeals is rediculous. We need to re-examine our pet laws in Quebec!
Dawn Manhertz	{2 votes}	November 17th, 2005
From a dog lover, this is just disgusting!     I don't think that anyone should just perpetuate the dog population just because they can. Its hard enough to have to walk into the SPCA, and see all the abandoned animals, that many have to lose their lives cause of their lack of space in the shelter, as well as the lack of adoption of many animals.
Donald Dubeau	{3 votes}	November 17th, 2005

Write your comment! please follow these guidelines

Information requested in blue will remain confidential   [privacy policy] Please indicate your real first and last names.

First name :

Last name :

Your email :

Confirm your email :

Title of your comment (max. 150 characters)   Your comment (max. 2000 characters)  characters remaining       LIMIT PER PERSON : one comment per article per member. Thank you. Your comment will be read by our approval team and, if it is approved, will be posted on the website within 24 hours. It could also be published, along with your name, in the printed version of Hour magazine and on any of our partner websites. In order to present the highest quality of comments, Hour reserves the right to refuse certain submissions. Any plagiarism will entail the entire removal of the member’s profile. Hour is not responsible for the opinions expressed by the members.