Animal cruelty without
consequence in Quebec
Where was MAPAQ during the ten years of abuse at Expédition Mi-Loup?
By Georges R. Dupras
June 26, 2025
I commend our provincial authorities for their initiative in designating animals as sentient beings.
It was a long overdue step, but one that falls well short of addressing animal abuse through institutionalized cruelty and tolerance by authorities who turn a blind eye to operations such as Expédition Mi-Loup. The cruelty occurred under the past owner of Mi-Loup, Mr. Antoine Simard, over ten years. Former employees testified that dogs were hanged, asphyxiated in a make-shift gas chamber, and some were found dead in freezers.
Though animal abuse cases do occur in “for-profit” animal facilities, they rarely span a ten-year period before they are reported by people who care.
Authorities were aware since 2014-2015
Testimony, given under oath, by past employees recounted numerous visits by MAPAQ (Ministry of Agriculture, Quebec). One employee was present when puppies were brought in just before his working shift ended. The following day, on his return to work, he found the puppies dead in a freezer.
On another occasion, not related to Expédition Mi-Loup, a farmer left his herd of cows to starve in a barn. When MAPAQ arrived to find only one cow barely alive, MAPAQ told the owner to call a vet and have the cow put down. According to reports, the owner refused, calling a vet only two days later. Given the obvious circumstances, why did the MAPAQ official not call the vet himself?
The list goes on, but to what purpose!
One of the reasons animals are vulnerable to abuse and neglect is that they are still viewed as property, things not much different than a toaster. Another reason is that they fall under the jurisdiction of the Minister of Agriculture (MAPAQ) rather than the Minister of Justice.
Though sentient, animals are toasters
One of the reasons animals are vulnerable to abuse and neglect is that they are still viewed as property, things not much different than a toaster. Another reason is that they fall under the jurisdiction of the Minister of Agriculture (MAPAQ) rather than the Minister of Justice.
Instead of harassing registered humane societies with long-standing and solid reputations, citing them with minor oversights, why doesn’t the Ministry of Agriculture endorse the efforts of animal advocates and outlaw the chaining of dogs? Why are they steadfast in their opposition to our every effort? Could it be they are catering to the sled dog industry?
How this came about
Years ago, animal advocates gathered in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, with a government delegate, hoping to establish a unified front to deal with the growing malignancy that animal abuse and neglect had become. I was present, and along with other animal advocates, we had hoped that going forward, all regulations and enforcement would fall under the Justice Department (Justice and compassion for all).
Our objection to animal care should not fall under a ministry, such as agriculture, that sees them as utilitarian and appears to cater to the industry rather than the animals. Suffice it to say that we failed in our objectives due to our naivete.
Human rights, the right to own property and living property entitlements
About twenty or possibly thirty years ago, when the futility of advancing animal protection laws finally hit home, a foundation in Switzerland, Fondation Weiber, came up with the novel idea that the public might accept a different approach. They suggested that animals be re-designated from property to “living property”. This same approach, modelled after the Swiss initiative, was championed by La Fondation Beulac in Montreal. This, we thought, might be accepted, even if only in principle at first. This way, a person could still own an animal, but he could not abuse or neglect it if it failed to please him.
Our guarded hopes were soon dashed as the weight of the animal industry came down on us with a thud.
‘Years ago, animal advocates gathered in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, with a government delegate, hoping to establish a unified front to deal with the growing malignancy that animal abuse and neglect had become… we had hoped that going forward, all regulations and enforcement would fall under the Justice Department.’
Change is a constant
Significant change will not occur in this Country under the present first-past-the-post electoral reality.
Change can and will occur if Canadians demand fair representation on decision-making at all levels of government. The Majority can no longer be dismissed in the interest of marginal ridings, or special interests, any more than minority interests can be drowned out by a majority. All interests must be at the table.
MAPAQ
As for MAPAQ, they have been given a fair chance to listen and respect the views of animal advocates and the thousands of people who demand change. During the ten years of abuse at Expédition Mi-Loup, where was MAPAQ?
If you are dissatisfied and frustrated, then express your anger to the Premier of Quebec as well as the Minister of Justice in Quebec.
Note: Thanks to an Animal Rights group, a whistleblower, past employees, and the Quebec Judge, the former sled-dog kennel operator, Antoine Simard (Expédition Mi-Loup Sled Dog Kennels) was sentenced to 23 months in jail.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of its author and do not reflect the opinions of WestmountMag.ca, its publishers or editors.
Feature image: Pixabay
Other articles by Georges Dupras
Other recent articles
One does not have to go as far as the Mi-Loup operation to find dogs chained in yards and commercial properties.
It is appalling what humans do to animals, but then the same is done to children and adults unfortunately.
Man is the only species that kills for pleasure because we have a “bad code” in our DNA that allows for this inhumane treatment of all things living.
This will probably never change, but at least articles such as the present one help shed light on the situation. But I wager that the only people who read it are the already converted. The perpetrators couldn’t care less.
God (or whoever one believes in) is at fault for creating us on the 6th Day. He had to rest on the 7th to face the guilt over releasing this evil upon the World !!!
First, I have to agree with Ms Hammerschmid’s comment that probably only the converted read about animal cruelty, and secondly, I applaud Georges Dupras’ article for his excellent critique of MAPAQ. It is only through articles such as this that Quebecers will become aware of the terrible shortcomings of this Agency to protect the rights of animals in Quebec.
Mr. Dupras writes in his last sentence, “If you are dissatisfied and frustrated, then express your anger to the Premier of Quebec as well as the Minister of Justice in Quebec.”
Here are the contact coordinates:
Premier François Legault: https://www.premier-ministre.gouv.qc.ca/premier-ministre/joindre-pm/courriel/index-en.asp
Minister of Justice Simon Jolin-Barrette: ministre@justice.gouv.qc.ca
Excellent article. I agree that animal welfare legislation should fall under the purview of the Minister of Justice rather than the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAPAQ) which sees animals as resources to be exploited rather than individuals worthy of protection. MAPAQ is clearly in a conflict of interest with respect to animal welfare and has proved by its tolerance of animal cruelty over the years that, to quote Mr Dupras, “all regulations and enforcement would fall under the Justice Department (Justice and compassion for all).” My hope is that whichever agency oversees animal welfare, it will work with reputable humane societies in identifying areas of concern and benefit from the latter’s vast experience, knowledge and commitment to animal welfare.