WIRE ALERT!

Can you believe that this pathetic creature is a wire fox terrier like me?
Marc-Andre Laporte, 59, was found guilty of two counts of animal cruelty at the Saint- Jerome courthouse in the Laurentian mountains north of Montreal, following the seizure of 97 fox terriers in November 2005 from his Blainville puppy mill. Laporte is only facing six months of jail time and up to $4,000 in fines. On Feb. 22, 2008 he will be sentenced. At the same hearing, Judge Jean Sirois is to decide if Laporte is to get any of his fox terriers back! Click here to see TV coverage of the verdict.

For two TV reports from one of our French channels click here & click here

When police raided the property, they found dogs matted in feces feeding on dogs' carcasses and stronger dogs preying on weaker ones. Click here for the story.

For these past two years, the surviving dogs have found loving homes where they have had their first experiences of the good life -- grass underfoot for the first time in their little lives, loving families & the extraordinary care & commitment, not to mention expense. that it has taken to rehabilitate these abused dogs, both physically & emotionally.

At the time that the dogs were seized, 20 of the terriers were marked with red collars by Laporte as the animals that he wanted to have returned to him. At the time, he referred to them as his ’best producers’. These 20 dogs have not been adopted, but have spent the last two years in the arms of loving foster families who have been waiting for the day when Laporte was convicted & they could adopt these beloved pets.

Who could believe that Judge Sirois would ever consider returning even one dog to this abuser? The testimony of the police & animal care workers involved in the seizure of these dogs brought the entire courtroom to tears.

PLEASE click here & take a minute to sign your name to this petition to protest the return of ANY of these dogs to Laporte.

Sainte-Jerome is a picturesque town located in the Laurentians that welcomes many American & European visitors. It is a shame to all Quebecers that this area of extraordinary natural beauty also hides the many puppy mills that perpetuate such cruel misery. Wherever in the world you may live, please add your voice to the protest to save these dogs. And -- if these dogs are returned to Laporte -- you may want to reconsider your ski holiday to the Laurentians!