When you buy a dog, do you know its background?

Hundreds of mistreated dogs were seized Friday at a Quebec kennel. (CBC)

The discovery of more than 500 mistreated dogs at a kennel in southwestern Quebec could result in the largest animal cruelty case in Quebec's history, reports The Canadian Press.
 
The dogs were discovered at a breeding facility in a rural part of Quebec Friday, and were reported to be living without sufficient food and water.

Guy Auclair, a spokesman for the Quebec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, told The Canadian Press that many of the dogs were also suffering from skin and respiratory problems.

The animals were seized at the scene, and placed in the care of Humane Society International.

The investigation at the facility is ongoing and, according to Auclair, charges could be laid against the operators of the kennel.

This isn't the first disturbing animal story to emerge from Quebec, and the Quebec government is in the process of introducing new regulations that would help to strengthen existing animal welfare laws.

Should the animal welfare laws in Quebec be changed? When you purchase a dog or puppy, do you know its background?

(This survey is not scientific. Results are based on readers' responses.)