MISSISSAUGA—Shocking animal cruelty allegations in Mississauga are a stark example of why Ontario’s animal protection laws remain deeply flawed—and how failing to crack down on websites like Kijiji puts animals at risk.
According to Peel Regional Police, a Mississauga man operating under the alias “Joey” used online buy-and-sell platforms such as Kijiji to obtain young puppies between December and March. Police allege he abused the dogs and then discarded them in public areas, either dead or badly mutilated.
Police believe at least eight dogs were victimized, but are concerned there may have been more. However, because Ontario does not require pet breeders to be licensed, police are left hoping for tips from the public because there is no meaningful way to track or respond to troubling patterns involving animal welfare.
“Right now, online platforms make it far too easy for a person with malicious intentions to obtain vulnerable animals, like dogs pumped out by puppy mills and backyard breeders. And because Ontario has no licensing or registration system for dog breeders or sellers, it’s virtually impossible to know who is breeding dogs, where puppies are being sold, or to spot warning signs early,” said Camille Labchuk, lawyer and executive director at Animal Justice. “If concerns do arise, there’s no centralized way to notify others in the system, or even to know who might be at risk.”
Last year, the Ontario government passed the PUPS Act—claimed to be an attempt to stop puppy mills. At the time, Animal Justice warned that online pet sales put animals at risk, and allowed puppy mills and backyard breeders to profit from breeding puppies in appalling conditions. Animal Justice called on the Ontario government to address the explosion in online pet sales and implement robust oversight. While humane societies and SPCAs conduct extensive vetting before placing animals in homes, buyers can acquire puppies and other pets from online sellers with little scrutiny.
“Puppies are being sold in the shadows, and there’s no way to know how many similar cases might be happening under the radar. Cracking down on online sales and requiring breeder licensing with basic standards could also help ensure breeders are only selling to responsible individuals—not simply handing over animals to anyone willing to pay,” Ms. Labchuk said.
Contact:
Josh Lynn
Public Relations Manager
[email protected]
Camille Labchuk
Executive Director
[email protected]