Marc-Andre Laporte was sentenced Tuesday to three years' probation, a $2,000 fine and 200 hours of community service. He was also barred from owning a dog for two years and from breeding for three years, The Gazette newspaper reported Wednesday.

A kennel Laporte operated north of Montreal was raided in 2005, and 97 dogs were found crammed into the facility. About 40 of the animals were in such bad condition, they were euthanized and the rest were adopted out and his property was condemned and torn down.

The sentence is considered harsh under Canadian animal abuse prosecutions, but several rights groups called it too lenient. Nicole Joncas, who operates an animal refuge in Eastern Ontario, called for jail time.

"Will this sentence give him a conscience? I don't think so," Joncas told the newspaper. "He should do jail time and he should never be allowed to own an animal again."