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Puppy Farming in NSW


Scrappi&Monty
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Just saw this article about more puppy farm issues in NSW, haven't had a proper read but thought I'd share it on here. 

 

http://www.smh.com.au/comment/dont-let-raids-on-puppy-farms-fool-you-cruelty-continues-in-nsw-20170609-gwoewq.html

 

Don't let raids on puppy farms fool you; cruelty continues in NSW

The recent raids on puppy farms in NSW, which resulted in about 100 dogs rescued last week and one puppy farmer pleading guilty to charges of animal cruelty the week prior, have been welcomed by many. They give the impression that something substantial is happening to address the problem, which is good news for the NSW government. The sad reality is these latest raids mean very little and have proven what a waste of time the parliamentary inquiry into puppy farms was.

The fact is puppy farming is a flourishing business in NSW and ongoing cruelty is slipping through the cracks of the weakest legislation in Australia, with a state government that seems more interested in symbolism than solutions.

 

In NSW puppy farmers do not have to worry about annual council inspection, annual renewal of their permit and annual dog registrations, nor do they have to worry about being inspected against the code of practice on a regular basis. All they are legally required to do is apply for a permit, but in many cases they don't even do that. NSW puppy farmers don't fear being exposed when they know the state laws allow them to continue regardless. This was evident in the case last week of the puppy farmer near Goulburn who was found guilty of cruelty. This farmer was operating without a council permit and had recently lodged an application to acquire a permit from Goulburn Mulwaree Council so she could carry on business as usual.

The NSW government refuses to give the RSPCA powers that were given to the Victorian RSPCA some years ago.

In 2015 Oscar's Law forced the government into action. It announced a parliamentary inquiry into puppy farms after we exposed a number of horrific puppy factories in central NSW. There was an air of excitement and determination that this inquiry would, unlike the previous one, bring about lasting change through stronger legislation. What we ended up with was a central microchip database and an advertising and revenue-raising campaign sponsored by the NSW government to "close puppy factories", something it has the power to do but refuses to. Some have described this public relations campaign as the biggest prank ever pulled on the pet-loving public.

Recently, I visited the NSW puppy factories that triggered the parliamentary inquiry, nothing has changed and dogs are still living in their own filth. As I stood at one puppy factory looking at 200 dogs it angered me that the inquiry was such a waste of time and taxpayer funds, and that these dogs continue to suffer.  ON

The squalid scenes at an unlicensed puppy factory in Inverell triggered a NSW parliamentary inquiry. The squalid scenes at an unlicensed puppy factory in Inverell triggered a NSW parliamentary inquiry.  

The Victorian government has proposed legislation to stamp out puppy farms. An amended bill is to be tabled after the winter recess, but is already having an impact on the industry, evidenced by Victorian puppy farmers relocating interstate, three to NSW and one to Queensland in the past 12 months. The Victorian government is proposing to bring in a cap on the number of female breeding dogsallowed to 10. This is to ensure best practice in line with registered ethical dog breeders, that puppies should be born and raised in a family home, not in a shed, a cage, or a dirt enclosure. The ban on the sale of animals in Victorian pet shops is also in line with registered dog breeders, as they don't sell their puppies to pet shops. The recently elected WA government is working on similar legislation. 

An advertising campaign will not close puppy factories in NSW, nor will a microchip register. The NSW government has so far held two parliamentary inquiries into the issue and yet NSW remains the favourite destination for interstate puppy factories feeling the heat from other state governments.TWITTER

Dogs at a puppy farm in northern NSW. Dogs at a puppy farm in northern NSW. Photo: Oscars Law

Two years after the second NSW government parliamentary inquiry, we are still waiting for a NSW MP with the courage and determination to take on this hideous industry and bring about real change. The commercial interest of a few shouldn't override the majority, and the majority of Australians want to see an end to the factory farming of companion animals.

Until then we will continue to see thousands of dogs suffer on legal, government-sanctioned puppy factories throughout NSW. The public expect better from their elected officials.

 
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Makes me so angry. Puppy farmers not only cost dogs their lives but they are costing taxpayers, donators and rescue groups a lot of money cleaning up their messes. The only people getting anything out of this is the puppy farmers themselves. How many other 'businesses' get away with this kind of thing?

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