By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
A CASEY-based animal cruelty expert has condemned the State Government’s decision to renege on their drafted breeding code for puppies.
Under the draft code, the government planned to set a limit of five litters per dog, with compulsory veterinary checks prior to each mating season, but changes to the code which came into effect on 11 April allow dogs to continue to be bred beyond this limit, with veterinarian approval.
Animal Cruelty Hotline investigator Barry Tapp said the government’s backflip was “ludicrous”.
“One dog has to go through all of their life breeding, the government’s just causing more trouble,” he said.
“They haven’t thought it through thoroughly.
“Who’s going to benefit from it? They’re forgetting the welfare of the animals, their welfare is paramount.”
Narre Warren South MP Judith Graley also expressed outrage at the government’s reversal, warning that it would allow the proliferation of rogue puppy farming to continue.
“It is just cruel. Denis Napthine has amended Victoria’s ‘global benchmark’ and allows for rogue puppy farms to continue exploiting breeding dogs until the day they die,” she said.
“Speaking to dog and pet owners in our community the general feeling is one of outrage.”
Agriculture and Food Security Minister Peter Walsh stood by the government’s animal code and rejected “any assertion that animal welfare for breeding animals in Victoria has not improved.”
“Animal welfare for breeding animals has, without doubt, taken major steps forwards under this revised code,” he said.
“The new code has more than 100 individual requirements for breeding establishments including compulsory veterinary checks, health plans, nutrition plans, exercise and social enrichment requirements, and retirement plans post-breeding for dogs and cats.
“Under the new code there are now health and well-being assurances for dogs and cats that never previously existed in Victoria.
“Previously there were no maximum breeding limits. Now, under the new code, female dogs have a five-litter limit and only a suitably qualified vet can clear that animal for a subsequent litter.”
RSPCA Victoria chief executive Maria Mercurio slammed the government’s changes to the draft code.
“There is no foreseeable reason why, after the revised code was available for view online for more than three months, the Victorian Government could not highlight the new changes until the day the legislation took effect – except perhaps, that they knew it would cause outrage among Victorians,” she said.
