The Ontario government has introduced the Preventing Unethical Puppy Sales Act (PUPS Act), a novel legislative endeavour against unethical dog breeding operations. Posed as an amendment to the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act (PAWS Act), it will enforce penalties for harmful breeding practices.

“The Preventing Unethical Puppy Sales Act will help to ensure Ontario remains a leader in animal welfare by being the first province in the country to introduce minimum penalties specific to puppy mills,” says solicitor general Michael Kerzner.

Some changes proposed in the PUPS Act include:

• Minimum penalties of $10,000 for puppy mill operators, and $25,000 if violations result in the death of a dog.
• Limits to the breeding of female dogs.
• Prohibiting the breeding of female dogs younger than one year.
• Ensuring sanitary environments for dogs.
• Specifying puppies younger than eight weeks cannot be separated from their mothers.
• Conditions for the selling or transferring ownership of a dog.
• Establishing record-keeping regulations.

The provincial government also plans to consult on regulations surrounding medically unnecessary procedures for dogs and cats, including declawing, ear cropping, debarking, and tail docking, as well as establish a framework for administrative monetary penalties under the PAWS Act.