RSPCA WA inspectors seized 66 puppies and kittens from a property in Gingin last week.
Camera IconRSPCA WA inspectors seized 66 puppies and kittens from a property in Gingin last week. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Gingin pet seizure means tough ‘puppy farm’ regulations needed

Lisa ThomasThe Advocate

LABOR MP and Stop Puppy Farming Implementation Working Group chair Lisa Baker said last week’s seizure of designer dogs in Gingin was another reminder of the need for tough regulations in the dog breeding industry.

The State Government implementation group , which formed last year, aims to reduce the number of unwanted dogs in WA and look at issues such as dog registration, compulsory sterilisation for non-breeding dogs and the closure of pet stores.

The group is made up of representatives from a number of government bodies and not-for-profit groups, including the Minister for Local Government, WA Rangers Association, RSPCA, Oscar’s Law and Dog Refuge Home WA.

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Ms Baker said the seizure of 66 animals in Gingin last week was yet another justification of the need for change.

“This is an unacceptable way of breeding animals – it is wrong,” she said.

RSPCA inspectors removed 46 dogs and 20 cats from the property in Gingin.

Ms Baker said there needed to be changes to the Dog Act and changes to animal welfare laws in WA.

She said the proposed changes would help reduce the number of dogs needing re-homing, stop the neglect of dogs and the euthanasia of unwanted dogs.

“Animals feel pain and feel fear, and they deserve to be loved,” she said.

“Puppy farming is cruel and puts profits before the wellbeing of dogs.”

Ms Baker said changes needed to include a focus on education to let consumers know where the dogs were coming from.

“We need to take a stand and educate people about what puppy farms are and how they are different from registered breeders,” she said.

“People see a cute puppy in the shop window, but they don’t know where that dog has come from and the conditions it was born in.”

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