Victoria Minister for Agriculture and Food Security Peter Walsh

Tough New Puppy Farm Laws Are In Force

Victor P Taffa

The Victorian Coalition Government’s new laws to stamp out illegal puppy farms have come into effect.

Agriculture and Food Security Minister Peter Walsh said the laws introduced tough new penalties including massive fines for cruelty and the right to seize animals, profits and assets of illegal puppy farms from 1 January.

“Under this crackdown we are also equipping the RSPCA with new policing powers and establishing an Animal Welfare Fund.” Mr. Walsh said.

“The maximum fine for operating illegal puppy farms jumps from $1,195 to $20,000 while the maximum penalty for animal cruelty increases to $30,000.”

“There are also new powers to allow for a court to ban or impose conditions on the ownership of dogs or cats and for operating or working in a domestic animal business.”

Other key changes include:

• Council and RSPCA inspectors have been given the power to seize animals from non compliant and unregistered breeding premises and issue infringement notices in relation to breeding premises.

• It will now be an offence to advertise the sale of a dog or cat unless the microchip identification number of the animal or the business registration number is included in the advertisement or notice.

• Operators of a breeding establishment are now required to register with the local council if they have three or more breeding female dogs OR three or more breeding female cats and they sell dogs or cats (whether they make a profit or not).

• Exceptions are establishments who belong to an applicable breeding organisation.

Breeders who belong to one of these organisations will be regarded as domestic animal businesses if they have 10 or more fertile dogs or cats.

“The Victorian Coalition Government strongly opposes illegal puppy farm practices and these changes will send a strong message to people who abuse animals that we will not tolerate rogue operators.” Mr. Walsh said.

More information is available from local councils, www.dpi.vic.gov.au/pets or DPI on 136 186.