New Quebec pet and breeding law bans declawing, tail-docking and other cosmetic surgeries
New regulations on pet ownership and breeding in Quebec came out this week.
They include major advances for pet care and the humane treatment of horses. The new Animal Welfare and Safety Act would also ban non-therapeutic surgeries like declawing in cats, and tail-docking or ear-cropping in dogs.
The controversial procedures are ones most vets already won't perform anymore.
"We're trying to make clients understand that these are invasive procedures, not a simple procedure but an actual surgical amputation," said vet Dr. Isak Kasuto.
The regulations also prohibit the use of gas chambers for euthanasia and a ban on the use of prong collars for dogs. The Pierrefonds Animal Hospital won't even stock those products.
"Prong collars, people don't understand that they are a lot more harmful than they think, and it won't correct the behavioural issue," said Kasuto. "There are a lot of non-aggressive other ways of managing the behaviour that you're trying to stop."
The bill also calls for a maximum of 50 cats or dogs owned by one breeder.
The Humane Society International Canada said it's a good move but not ambitious enough. Ewa Demianowicz says
"When you consider it, 50 animals in just one facility it can equal hundreds of puppies per year, and it's usually one or two people caring for them," said Humane Society senior campaign manager Ewa Demianowicz.
The rule is an effort to reduce puppy mills.
Demianowicz said the Humane Society has raided puppy mills where there were over 500 dogs that were being bred for sale.
Yet, the Humane Society said the changes have to have more teeth - the law needs to be enforced.
"It's great to have improvements legislated on paper, (but) it won't make a difference for animals concretely if we don't have inspectors," said Demianowicz.
She wants assurances that investigators will be going in and checking breeding facilities and situations of neglect.
The Montreal SPCA has been demanding these changes for years and wants even more since, the organization says, the permanent chaining of dogs and animals used in research will not be protected by the new laws.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.