Why is the SPCA Powerless Against Puppy Mills?
“Puppy mill: an establishment that breeds puppies for sale, typically on an intensive basis and in conditions regarded as inhumane.”
When I first began my investigation into dog breeding rules in Nova Scotia, I assumed that shutting down a puppy mill would be easy. I had collected evidence of dogs being forced to have 10 litters in five years – which means the mother dog was bred repeatedly without recovery between litters for five years in a row. I assumed something so inhumane, and contrary to the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association’s guidance for dog breeders, couldn’t possibly be legal.
Spoiler: I was wrong.
The SPCA (i.e. the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) is responsible for enforcing the laws outlined in Nova Scotia’s Animal Protection Act. In the same way that police officers enforce the Criminal Code, the SCPA enforces the Animal Protection Act.
Under this Act, dogs and cats fall under the definition of “companion animals”. Farm animals are defined separately.
The Animal Protection Act claims that the SPCA may “promote the humane treatment and welfare of companion animals”. But the truth is, the SPCA may only enforce the laws as set out in the Act.
Since there are no laws regulating
the minimum age to begin breeding a dog,
how many litters a dog can be forced to have in their lifetime, or
how much rest is required between litters,
there is nothing stopping breeders from breeding their dogs every single time they go into heat, regardless of whether or not they are physically or emotionally fit to grow, birth, and nurse another litter.
The SPCA can only enforce laws, so until laws exist, they will remain powerless to prevent over-breeding and inhumane treatment of dogs at breeding facilities. If you’d like to help change that, please sign the petition which will help pressure the government to take action.