Two local people have been convicted for operating an illegal puppy mill.
Peter Wiebe and Aganetha Wiebe are the first to be convicted under the new Preventing Unethical Puppy Sales Act following a guilty plea on January 8, 2025, in the Ontario Court of Justice in Chatham-Kent.
The court ruled they operated a puppy mill, permitted distress to the animals, and failed to comply with an order.
Peter Wiebe was fined a total of $5,000 and was ordered to pay restitution of $11,486.66 for the cost of providing food and treatment and care for the dogs that were impacted by the offences.
The pair is also under a lifetime ban on breeding or selling puppies and operating a kennel in Ontario, they're prohibited from owning any domestic animal for one year, and following the one-year animal prohibition, they can only own a maximum of two dogs, the dogs must be licensed, spayed or neutered, and they must reside indoors.
The Wiebes must also notify an animal welfare inspector of the number of animals, gender, breed, size and physical descriptors, and proof of spay or neuter of each animal along with permitting random checks by an animal welfare inspector to determine the health of animals and they must allow access to their property and residence to make the checks possible.
Ministry of the Solicitor General Spokesperson Brent Ross told CK News Today that Animal Welfare Services became aware of concerns related to the puppy mill on August 7, 2024 and the next day, two golden Labrador puppies were removed using a veterinary certificate and then had to be euthanized due to a parvovirus infection.
Ross noted charges were laid on October 9, 2024, following an investigation.
Animal Welfare Services will not disclose the location of the former puppy mill and does not disclose materials that are collected as part an investigation, added Ross.
Call 1-833-9-ANIMAL (264625) if an animal is in distress or being abused.