Dog handler sentenced to 23 months imprisonment for inhumane treatment of sled canines.
The Shocking Verdict on Quebec's Former Dog Sledding Company Owner
Antoine Simard, the disgraceful former owner of Expedition Mi-Loup, faces a harsh 23-month prison sentence for his heinous acts of animal cruelty. This devastating verdict, the toughest imposed in Quebec for such offenses, was announced by Judge Hubert Couture of the Quebec Court. Expedition Mi-Loup, a notorious dog sledding establishment on Orleans Island, was the scene of Simard's unforgivable brutality towards animals.
Last year, Simard was convicted for inhumane treatment of the company's dogs and his failure to fulfill his responsibilities towards them. For nearly a decade, Simard, overwhelmed by the excessive reproduction of animals within his kennel, resorted to deplorable methods to end their lives, going as far as creating makeshift gas chambers. The presiding magistrate described these actions as "truly barbaric."
During the sentencing hearing on Friday, without specifying the exact number of dogs that perished due to Simard's atrocities, Judge Couture underlined the appalling nature of the acts committed. He further pointed out that under Quebec law, animals are viewed as "sentient beings" rather than mere property. Consequently, the magistrate felt compelled to sentence the former entrepreneur to 23 months in prison, followed by three years of probation.
The judge also imposed a 10-year ban on Simard owning animals.
Me Sophie Gaillard, the director of animal defense and legal and government affairs at the SPCA de Montreal, believes that this sentence signifies "a pivotal moment" in the fight against animal cruelty in Quebec. "Up till now, Quebec has been lagging," she laments, comparing Quebec unfavorably to other provinces which might have delivered a harsher judgment for Simard's abhorrent crimes.
As of yet, Simard's attorney has not responded to Le Devoir's requests for a comment.
A Long-Overdue Change for Dog Sledding Regulations?
According to Gaillard, the heart of the problem lies in the lack of regulations for dog sledding companies. Despite having over a hundred such establishments in the province, housing close to 5,000 dogs, the industry remains unprecedentedly unregulated.
She posits that it is a matter of addressing the regulation loopholes within the industry that contributes to the problem. Gaillard emphasizes the presence of unacceptable practices in the dog sledding industry, such as keeping dogs tethered for extended hours, or even days.
The SPCA de Montreal aspires for the implementation of regulations regarding dog reproduction, a cap on the number of dogs a company can house, and a prerequisite for companies to establish "retirement plans" for their animals. They fear otherwise, they will continue to witness dogs treated as mere commodities.
Suggested Readings
"Esstradinaire Esstradivarius": The Resurrection of Clown Sol
In an emotional comeback, Marc Favreau's groundbreaking character strikes the stage again almost 20 years after his untimely demise. Reduced Sentence for Sexual Offender with Intellectual Disability
The appellate court has reduced the prison sentence of the offender from six to three years.Trump Unveils a Conservative Austerity Budget Focused on Defense**
The American president seeks to bolster the defense budget by 13% and the domestic security budget by 65%.
Note: In Quebec, the field of dog sledding is not sufficiently regulated, resulting in numerous cases of animal cruelty and concern for animal welfare advocates. The Montreal SPCA has proposed stricter regulations, including the regulation of dog reproduction, a limit on the number of dogs per company, and the requirement for companies to have retirement plans for their animals to address the issue. Learn more
Lastly, it's crucial to tackle the issue of unregulated dog sledding businesses by implementing stricter regulations for the sake of animal welfare. In order to prevent future instances of cruelty, organizations like the Montreal SPCA have been actively advocating for the enactment of specific regulations tailored to the dog sledding industry. As always, stay informed and stand with us in our fight for animal rights. #AnimalWelfareMatters #RegulateSledDogIndustry
- The Quebec Court's recent ruling on Antoine Simard, the former dog sledding company owner, marks a significant step in animal rights advocacy, signifying a change in the long-neglected regulation of the dog sledding industry.
- With over a hundred dog sledding companies in Quebec housing nearly 5,000 dogs, the lack of regulations has allowed unacceptable practices to persist, such as inhumane treatment and excessive reproduction.
- To address these issues, organizations like the SPCA de Montreal are pushing for the implementation of regulations, including the regulation of dog reproduction, a cap on the number of dogs a company can house, and the requirement for companies to establish retirement plans for their animals.
- Failure to adopt these stricter regulations could result in the continued mistreatment of dogs, as they may continue to be viewed as mere commodities.
