Puppy farm law reform call grows louder
Tasmanians have added their voices to the call for urgent law reform to end puppy farming in the state, after the high-profile seizure of more than 250 dogs from a property in the state’s north earlier this year.
An e-petition presented to Parliament by the RSPCA, which was supported by the Dogs’ Homes of Tasmania, gathered 6566 signatures in three weeks before closing on 9 September. The principal petitioner was RSPCA Tasmania CEO Andrea Dawkins and it was sponsored by Independent MHA David O’Byrne.
“It took the RSPCA around three years to finally force the closure of the state’s biggest and worst puppy farm, Tasmanian Labradoodles,” Ms Dawkins told the Tasmanian Country newspaper.
“Over that drawn-out legal battle, the breeders were able to continue to operate. Hundreds of dogs were born into poor health and many never had contact with humans.
“This was an appalling chapter in animal welfare for our state and we cannot ever let this happen again. The reality is that the laws failed all of us and the existing law does nothing to deter this from happening again. The laws must change, and they must change urgently.”
The Dogs’ Homes, along with other dog welfare groups around the state, played a role in finding families for some of the dogs seized from the property.
It was heartbreaking for all our staff and volunteers to witness the conditions in which many of these dogs arrived. Each dog had endured unimaginable suffering, and the impact of their past was evident. While they have all now found new, loving homes, they will need a great deal of tender loving care, time, and patience to heal from the trauma of their previous living conditions.
To address the urgent need for change, the Tasmanian Government has responded to the public outcry by committing to review the Animal Welfare Dog Regulation Act 2016. Water and Primary Industries Minister Jane Howlett has expressed her deep concern over the conditions uncovered at Tasmanian Labradoodles, and affirmed the Government’s plans to implement new legislation to prevent overbreeding and improve animal welfare for dogs. A public discussion paper on the proposed legislative amendments is set to be released in the coming months, marking a significant step toward stronger regulations and enforcement.
In addition to these developments, Ms Howlett assured the public that no other puppy farms are believed to be in operation in Tasmania. She encouraged anyone with concerns about illegal breeding practices to contact her office. With new legislation on the horizon, Tasmania could soon see a permanent ban on puppy farming, bringing much-needed protection to animals and peace of mind to those advocating for their welfare.
