Puppy mills are inhumane breeding facilities that produce puppies in large numbers. They are designed to maximize profits and commonly disregard the physical, social, and emotional health of the dogs. The breeding dogs at puppy mills live their entire lives in cages and in filth, without their basic needs of health care, exercise and nutrition being met. These poor conditions cause puppies, as well as the older breeding dogs, to have serious physical and behavioral problems.
Many dog rescue groups across Quebec and Ontario have been involved in supporting the HSI and SPCA Montreal by offering care, shelter, and rehabilitation for the victims of the September puppy mill bust in St-Lin Quebec. This bust by the HSI and SPCA gained national news coverage because of the horrendous conditions the dogs had to endure, and because it was the second of it's kind within the space of one week in Quebec. In this particular puppy mill, 157 dogs took residence and were found in their own waste with uncared for open wounds, extremely malnourished, dehydrated, over bred, and ridden with infection and parasites. Most of the dogs have now been placed with dog rescue groups who have arranged care in temporary foster homes. The foster homes have nursed them back to health, their wounds treated and cared for. After being completely emaciated and infested with worms, these dogs are finally starting to gain weight so that the appearance of their ribs and hip bones is diminishing. The dogs have started to learn what it is like to have a soft surface to sleep on - all the dogs taken in have sores and burns from laying in their own waste. Their muscle mass is developing from getting the exercise they were deprived of while living in cages.
We have started this website because Carole Lapalme, the puppy mill owner, will be back in Montreal court December 17th for a pro forma and is pleading not guilty to animal cruelty. The owner of the first puppymill involved in the seizures, Francesco Coelo, had his dogs housed in similar inhumane conditions as Carole Lapalme's mill. He was given a slap on the wrist; 3 years probation, a fine of $3, 200 (despite the fact that the cost of caring for these dogs after the seizure was over $200 000), and the right to own up to 3 dogs. At his mill, 109 dogs were seized and he did not have a permit.
Carole Lepalme is requesting that the dogs be returned to her. We are bringing this to your attention because something has to be done to stop this. Do not allow these dogs to be put back under the care of this inhumane person. Carole Lapalme was known to the SPCA and has had other offences.
Quebec is known as the animal cruelty capital of North America, and is the home of over 2000 puppy mills. You can make a difference. Do not let these helpless animals return to a desolate life without care, food, space, companionship or freedom. Let them continue in the lives they have started to become accustomed to in the last 4 weeks - the kind of life that every dog deserves. Are they not man's best friend?
Because of Carole Lapalme's history of cruelty to animals, we think it would be inhumane to allow her to have animals under her care in the future. We therefore plea with you to do anything in your power to stop her from regaining ownership of the dogs in question. |
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