Quebec has been given a dubious honor by an American animal rights organization.

We've been named the best province in which to be an animal abuser.

The Animal Legal Defence Fund says it based it's study of the provinces and territories on a comparative analysis of the animal protection laws of each jurisdiction.

Manitoba, BC and Ontario have the toughest laws.

Quebec, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories, the least severe.

The group says there have been improvements to Quebec's animal protection law since last year's report, including a broadening of species coverage and the promulgation of new standards of care for dogs and cats, but says Quebec held its position as the province with the weakest animal protection legislation.

Spokesperson Sophie Gaillard says although new provincial legistlation against animal cruelty was brought in just last month, Bill 51 doesn't go far enough.

"When you think of puppy mills, these are commercial enterprises that are generating a lot of money.  Each puppy can be sold for a couple hundred dollars and with hundreds of dogs you produce a whole lot of puppies, so perhaps fines aren't enough, perhaps the threat of jail time needs to be added in order to deter these puppy mills."

Gaillard adds, the ALDF's fifth annuall report was prepared before Quebec's bill 51 was introduced.

With files from Margoe Edwards

Photo: Petfinder