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TORONTO — A specialized team of provincial inspectors would enforce animal cruelty laws in Ontario under new legislation introduced on Tuesday.

Solicitor General Sylvia Jones said the team would be composed of about 100 inspectors, but she wouldn’t say how much the new system would cost.

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Jones said the bill — dubbed the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act — would also include stiffer penalties for cruelty offences.

“I believe at the end of the day, we’re going to have a stronger model that ensures we have consistency in enforcement across Ontario,” Jones told reporters.

Under the bill, there would also be specialists who will deal with livestock, horses and zoos and aquariums. Jones said Crown attorneys would be trained to deal with animal cruelty prosecutions. The new law would go effect on Jan. 1, 2020.

In March, the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals told the province it would no longer enforce animal cruelty laws, focusing instead on other endeavours such as its shelter operations.