The Ottawa Citizen

Jake Rupert

'We do everything we are supposed to do'

Quebec's lack of an animal welfare act
means SPCA must prove wilful cruelty

Paws R Us Kennel

Tuesday, September 5th, 2000

Dog-breeding businesses like Paws Are Us are subjected to much closer scrutiny in Ontario and might even be closed under the laws enforced by animal-welfare officers, says Michael Draper, special investigations director for Ontario's Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

But since Paws Are Us is located in Quebec, just outside of Shawville, it operates in a much less stringent regulatory environment. The reason is simple: Ontario has an animal welfare act, but Quebec doesn't.

In Ontario, SPCA officers can shut down a breeder if any dogs are in distress. In Quebec, SPCA officers rely on Criminal Code charges of cruelty and neglect, which call for strong evidence of wilful cruelty -- a much higher standard -- before action can be taken.

"We do everything we can to make things work as well as possible," says Nicole Labombard, who operates Paws Are Us with her sister and parents.

"Everybody has their own opinion on what you can do and what you can't do. We have a good vet, and we do what she tells us to."

The Labombard family started breeding dogs on their former pig farm in Clarendon Township when the pork market collapsed 10 years ago. Nicole, one of 11 children, had a female St. Bernard that she bred. The pups sold well, and the family saw the potential of the dog business. Her sister Danielle got in on the action, and things mushroomed. The Labombards, including mother Charlene and father James, now breed more than 30 types of dogs in their barn.

In an interview for this article, Nicole Labombard would not say how many dogs they keep in the barn they use as a kennel, or how many puppies they sell in an average month.

They advertise their business in Ottawa's daily newspapers and in smaller publications. Ms. Labombard says they don't sell to pet shops or dog brokers. The animals sell for $350.

Since last April, they have offered a remarkable range of breeds: Skye terriers, golden retrievers, Siberian huskies, Australian shepherds, malamutes, Beaucerons, Maremma sheepdogs, Brittany spaniels, Labs, whippets, samoyeds, beagles, dachshunds, shih-tzus, Jack Russell terriers, cocker spaniels, German shepherds, Pomeranians, Shelties, poodles, chow-chows, Old English sheep dogs, bassett hounds, Lassie-type collies, Great Danes, boxers, Dalmatians, toy American Eskimos, Maltese, and Chihuahuas.

The Labombard operation is about 300 metres from the road. The nearest neighbour is about a kilometre away. Farm equipment sits idle along the laneway.

The Labombards, who ask people to phone them at least an hour before a visit, meet visitors in the laneway and bring the pups out of the barn.

Unlike other breeders, they will not let you go in the barn to see their operation. Ms. Labombard says this is on the advice of their veterinarian.

"People can bring diseases in," she says. "If you walk through the park you can pick up parvo (a virus transmitted by dog feces) on your shoes. Walk through my kennel, and you'll give it to me. (You could have) fleas on you or lice or other things. So I don't want you where I'm keeping everything for the reason that you could contaminate my stuff. Even the SPCA says that."

In the barn, a row of kennels is on the left and elevated stainless steel kennels are on the right. The bottom of the kennels are made of wire to let droppings and urine fall to the floor to be washed into a gutter with a high-pressure hose. As in many barns, there is the stench of feces and many flies.

Mr. Draper, Ontario SPCA's senior investigator, looks into puppy mills, dog fighting and other infractions. In Ontario, he says, it would be easy to get a warrant to search an operation like Paws Are Us. "Based on experience, you can't breed that many types of dogs, and have that many dogs living in a barn, without causing some distress to the animals," he says. "It's just too many animals to care for properly."

Barbara Heal, president of the Ottawa Kennel Club, says a breeder should work with no more than one or two breeds: "The Canadian Kennel Club keeps lists of breeders in good standing. You should research the person you are buying from before doing anything."

Paws Are Us is not registered with the Canadian Kennel Club, but belongs to the North American Pure Bred Dog Association, a rival organization.

Ottawa's SPCA inspector Conrad Laframboise says he has received several complaints about dogs bought from Paws Are Us. He turned those over to the Quebec SPCA, whose investigators have been to the kennel three times.

Ms. Labombard says inspectors found no problems. But the SPCA file shows the Labombards were cautioned about several infractions, which they addressed. Examples were feeding violations, lack of ventilation and general cleanliness.

After three visits, the SPCA regards Paws Are Us as complying with Quebec regulations, but put the file in its borderline category that requires closer scrutiny and more visits.

Ottawa-Hull Better Business Bureau has had seven calls about Paws Are Us since last June. Only one was a complaint. It is being investigated.

While the Citizen found two people whose puppies bought from Paws Are Us this summer had health problems, the Labombards insist they operate to the highest standards.

"We have a good vet, and she does kennel inspection every six weeks," Ms. Labombard says.

"I have the dogs checked by the vet before they leave the premises. They're all healthy when they leave here. I don't let puppies that are sick leave.

"They have their shots. They are dewormed every two weeks. They have papers. They are tattooed. We do everything we are supposed to do."

  The Lives of Dogs at Paws R Us