The Hon. Niall Blair, MLC
52 Martin Place
Sydney NSW 2000

 

Dear Mr Blair,
RE: OUTLAWING OF PUPPY FARMS IN NSW

I write this email to express my disgust that puppy farms continue to operate in NSW and I call on you to bring in legislation that will make them illegal in NSW.

The ANIMAL WELFARE CODE OF PRACTICE: BREEDING DOGS AND CATS sets out minimal standards for animals. These practices are not adhered to in puppy factories at all.

Mr Blair, I point out to you respectfully, that the Companion Animals Act NSW 1998 regulates responsible ownership of companion animals that is, dogs and cats, in NSW. The Act does not state that dogs are ‘farm animals’ rather companion animals. The law is clear in its description, so why is it allowed, that puppy farmers treat a companion animal as a breeding ‘farm animal’. The puppy farms that have 50-345 dogs (at times more) it is argued, would certainly be viewed as a commercial farming enterprise.

For untrained, non-licensed individuals (many have had their membership to DOGS NSW terminated) to breed large number of dogs has caused great concern amongst community members. The horror conditions that these dogs live in everyday is nothing short of barbaric.

Mr Blair to attempt to bring dogs from being recognised as companion animals in NSW to somehow fit the ‘farm animal’ is not legal nor ethical.

As a new minister I appreciate that you may not have dealt with puppy farms before. A puppy farm recently exposed was to be found in the Inverell region of NSW. On inspection by the RSPCA it was found to have 345 dogs in cages spread around in the bush. Most cages had no water. There have been many such ‘farms’ exposed by individuals who then report them on to the RSPCA. Large amounts of money from these breeding facilities is not declared to the ATO.

The RSPCA has been both vocal and active in noting they want closure of such farms.

Many of the dogs from these farms suffer long standing, painful injury/illness that is never treated.

As a country and society that acknowledges both the work and community contribution that dogs make, we call upon you, the incumbent minister to outlaw puppy farms.

In our society dogs contribute in many ways:

Police dogs
Border control dogs
Seeing eye dogs
Working farm dogs
Guard dogs
Companion dogs to the aged and disabled in the communities
Medi alert dogs for the deaf and blind members of our communities
These are just a few areas dogs contribute in assisting in our society.

To have dogs locked in very small cages/concrete pens with no stimulation, no affection and bred continually, is not something a moral and just society should allow nor tolerate.

Mr Blair, the mere fact that most of these puppy farms are hidden far from people’s sight, in extremely isolated areas at times, speaks volumes as to the illegal and shocking conditions that they keep the dogs in.

The number of people both in NSW and across Australia that are saying enough is enough, shut these horror placed down, is growing daily.

I draw your attention to the links below. The RSPCA states the issues succinctly: http://www.rspca.org.au/campaigns/puppy-farms​

http://kb.rspca.org.au/What-laws-are-necessary-to-stop-puppy-farming_508.html

If the RSPCA and massive numbers of the public are asking for change, there should be change happening. The RSPCA as the frontline voice of animal welfare in Australia, is calling to outlaw puppy farms. How could any government or minister be arrogant enough, to say, we don’t need change if those empowered to investigate (RSPCA) are saying close them down?

Once again Mr Blair, I call upon you to act and change laws relating to this cruel, secreted practice.

Yours faithfully

Judy Scrivener