Puppy Farms - More Articles In Smh

[Katdogs]

I know, politically tricky and Deb Tranter, but when it comes to being in-your-face to potential puppy purchasers at least there's something here to refer to. It was a two-page spread in Sunday's paper. I've had two people in the last week telling me about their beautiful young oodly-doos and it's getting to me...

(Yes the pups are gorgeous but one is now almost a year old and still not toilet trained - was three months old when purchased from a pet shop - owner is amazed it's so much bigger than its 'brothers and sisters' (cage mates) when it's so obviously a cocker cross, not cav as he was told )

Cruelty, squalor, disease at puppy factories in NSW detailed in RSPCA report

If there was any doubt that the RSPCA inspectors had set foot inside a scene of unimaginable suffering, it disappeared in seconds. "As we entered the yard, we observed a small female terrier being attacked and dragged around by multiple other dogs … appearing to be fighting over possession of her body."

Fairfax Media has viewed an internal RSPCA veterinarian report that chronicles, in graphic detail, the cruelty being repeated in puppy factories throughout the state.

The document relates to a facility in northern NSW, where most of the 155 breeding dogs examined were suffering health conditions including "serious tumours, dental disease, heart disease" and ear and eye infections. Some dogs were in such misery, they had to put down onsite.

While the resulting RSPCA investigation led to the operator being convicted of animal cruelty charges, a loophole in NSW laws means she is still legally churning out puppies from the same property.

The RSPCA's New South Wales chief executive, Steven Coleman, has revealed the organisation applied for a Prohibition Order to shut the factory. "We sought it. The local court would not grant it," he said.

Puppy factories are, by definition, assembly lines that produce litters of designer dogs that fetch up to $7000 each via pet shop windows and, increasingly, online classifieds. But for the breeding adult dogs forced to provide them, it is a never-ending cycle of cages, confinement and cruelty.

Yesterday, a joint investigation by Fairfax Media and Animal Welfare Group Oscar's Law found conditions were so squalid inside one farm at Inverell, dogs were living inside old portable water containers.

While Victoria and the ACT are rolling out reforms that outlaw the farms, they remain legal in NSW through a one-off council permit system that has no renewal, registration or inspection framework in place. Yesterday, Premier Mike Baird refused to comment on the issue.

In an August 2013 report, RSPCA vet Dr Ann-Margret Withers accompanied inspectors to a permit-approved farm near Guyra that had been the subject of complaints.

She referred, in her brief of evidence, to the "five freedoms": Freedom from hunger and thirst; freedom from discomfort; freedom from pain, injury and disease; freedom to express normal behaviour and freedom from fear and distress. She added: "The owner has failed to provide these for the animals in her care."

Of the dog almost ripped apart before her eyes, she wrote: "I consider this terrier was already gravely sick before the attack and our arrival … her blood pressure was so low that she did not bleed profusely from the severe injuries sustained … as would a healthy dog." The vet concluded it would be "too cruel to be kept alive".

The same fate befell a "jaundiced and anaemic" Golden Retriever and a German Shepherd that was suffering severe sensory deprivation, skin disease and joint deformity after spending life housed in a dark, confined, pigpen-style enclosure. Puppies from the factory were earlier linked to online adverts that stated: "All our puppies are raised on our family farm with children and other pets."

In December 2013, the breeder, Jennifer Frazer, pleaded guilty at Inverell Local Court to three charges of aggravated animal cruelty and four charges of failing to provide veterinary treatment. She was fined $11,500. However, 10 months later, animal welfare group Oscar's Law attended the same location, only to discover a carbon copy scene of cruelty, featuring dogs cowering in bread crates and a dead pregnant female lying unattended in her cell.

Mr Coleman said that now, Ms Frazer remained free to "do what she wants", with cats or dogs, as long as she "complies with the act". When asked how that is monitored, he replied: "That's the 64 million-dollar question."

The puppy factory issue is expected to dominate the maiden speech of new Animal Justice Party MP Mark Pearson, in the NSW parliament, on Wednesday.

Edited May 12, 2015 by Comrade Catdogs

[Roova]

Makes me feel sick for those poor poor animals

Assuming most of these puppies are sold through petshops, I just don't know why we can't ban sales in this manner like in the UK. Such a shame shelters or rescue couldn't advertise the poor souls they have looking for a home instead or even registered breeders with available puppies (but not kept in store). Although impulse buying a cute puppy is Im sure better for business.

I also wish there was some way of knowing which pet shops or places were buying from puppy farms so the public could be informed. If the source of money for these low lives could be stopped it would be less incentive for them to keep breeding. In saying that Im sure if they want to make money they'll find a way to keep selling

[Stressmagnet]

There are two pet shops at Erina Fair, which is one of the largest malls on the Central coast NSW. Both sell puppies. But apparently it's ok because 'they don't buy from pup farms, they buy from breeders', sez my local RSPCA.

They sell cross bred dogs for upwards of $1200. I enquired (just out of curiosity) about a cocker/cavalier pup and was told that it was a sought after cross and was $1600.

That's more than I paid for Ernie and his breeding is impeccable.

I do not know how this still goes on. I despair at the stupidity of people who buy from these shops - both do a roaring trade in crosses of all descriptions.

I will admit: they had a purebred black Labrador there two weeks ago and I swore I would buy it before I watched it grow up behind glass in a 1 metre square enclosure but it's disappeared. I guess I'm part of the problem.

Just ban the sale of dogs in pet stores. It's not hard - other countries have done it.

Edited May 4, 2015 by Stressmagnet

[Pjrt]

stressy check out whether the pet shops are PIAA members. They openly encourage their member stores to buy puppies from puppy farms.... registered licensed puppy farms..... so they can then in turn tell buyers that puppies are sourced from 'registered breeders', which is of course the 'truth'. The confusing truth used to reel in joe public.

ETA.... unfortunately in the push to ban the filthy inhumane type of puppy farms whose images haunt us all, laws have been passed which actually allow large scale wholesale breeders to set up and flourish. It seems to have gotten lost in translation that the dogs and puppies in nice big clean licensed registered puppy farms are still wharehoused like objects rather than treated like the companion animals they are. But while they abide by & hold all the required by law regulations and licences and meet basic minimum animal welfare standards, they flourish legally. Oops.

Edited May 4, 2015 by GrufLife

[_PL_]

The bill put forward in NSW to ban pet shop sales a few years ago didn't get far. Clover Moore tried but it was dead in the water once the pet retail industry sent in their cronies. Even if they did win, retail is only one part of the problem.

NSW will now be the haven for commercial breeding facilities and nobody can stop them moving in from other states and getting permits to run (if they have to). The RSPCA is left to seek them out, but they can't act outside the law. AJP; no idea how they plan to accomplish things but if they do it will be a miracle.

I'm not going to name their own slimy "organisation", who will fight welfare legislation that doesn't suit them. Creating their own version of how to identify a puppy farm. Which is: as long as it is clean and up to the minimum standards then it should be left alone because it's just commercial or large scale. According to them, the good the puppy farms have been innocently dragged into discussion by dimwit activists who don't know the difference.

At a dog function last year, I sat down and the fellow guest next to me tried to give me a farmer org member's business card. I knew the name and it went down like a lead fart.

Edited May 4, 2015 by Powerlegs

[Little Gifts]

How can companion animals in a farming environment ever meet the freedom to express normal behaviour criteria? Even if they have adequate food and shelter they never have the company and human and canine interaction they need to be good doggy citizens. We've discussed this before and for me it equates to numbers and none of these places employ enough staff to enable every single dog on the premises to have any one on one attention. It is that simple. They can sprout all the bulldust they want but companion animals are not a farming suitable species. Using farming methods to produce them en masse is basic cruelty. What other industry gets away with producing a sub standard product and still charges such exborbitant amounts of money for it? Are us humans really that stupid? I guess we are and perhaps the best way of altering that is education. Where are these people getting $7000 to buy a pup at a random pet shop anyway? Doesn't that make your blood boil if you are a breeder?

[tdierikx]

One could buy a second hand car for the prices some petshops have on their crossbred pups... who has that sort of money for an impulse buy? Dut those same people who do, will question paying $350 for a fully vaccinated, desexed, wormed, and health/temperament checked rescue dog/pup... go figure?

T.

[Christina]

ETA.... unfortunately in the push to ban the filthy inhumane type of puppy farms whose images haunt us all, laws have been passed which actually allow large scale wholesale breeders to set up and flourish. It seems to have gotten lost in translation that the dogs and puppies in nice big clean licensed registered puppy farms are still wharehoused like objects rather than treated like the companion animals they are. But while they abide by & hold all the required by law regulations and licences and meet basic minimum animal welfare standards, they flourish legally.

Words are inadequate for the situation & the disgusting thing doing this, can't even call it a human being, so I will mainly comment on how & why this continues.

As Above.

Dogs SA are having a members meeting on May 14th about the proposed ammendments coming up in the dog & cat laws here in SA. I do hope that we don't become like Victoria. Why can't these people see, even when it is clearly pointed out to them, that the laws they are passing only allow for situations as in the quote. Mass, factory style breeding of dogs is being encouraged.

It makes it difficult for small, breed dedicated hobby breeders who do breed well, with knowledge & much love & care for their animals.

There are always going to be people who neglect, exploit & are cruel to animals, these laws are revenue raising & not in the interest of animal welfare although it may appear that way on the surface.

Its all about the money. Look at what goes on in the horse & dog racing industry but it always flourishes. Its all so frustrating that the general public can't see what is going on.

Consumer society & fed & swallowing government opinion on it all.

[moosmum]

I fear that in time, Puppy farms will be seen as the "solution" to poor practices. Easier to police licencing, inspections and accountability of a few big establishments than many smaller ones and it opens the way for a fully regulated and profitable "Industry" with its potential to develope employment. ie; Education as licencing requirements, inspectors, review pannels etc as well as employment at individual establishments. Easier to monitor and enforce compliance to exsisting or new laws and better tracking of dogs for research and statitistics.

I don't see another alternative while the Govt. is continualy pressured to come up with effective legislation for all percieved breaches of responsibility by both dog owners and breeders, and no single body or group able to promote an ideal of expectation to aim for by the general population

Edited May 4, 2015 by moosmum

[Little Gifts]

I fear that in time, Puppy farms will be seen as the "solution" to poor practices. Easier to police licencing, inspections and accountability of a few big establishments than many smaller ones and it opens the way for a fully regulated and profitable "Industry" with its potential to develope employment. ie; Education as licencing requirements, inspectors, review pannels etc as well as employment at individual establishments. Easier to monitor and enforce compliance to exsisting or new laws and better tracking of dogs for research and statitistics.

I don't see another alternative while the Govt. is continualy pressured to come up with effective legislation for all percieved breaches of responsibility by both dog owners and breeders, and no single body or group able to promote an ideal of expectation to aim for by the general population

One of the risks of encouraging puppy farming is volume - more puppies out there who get neglected, abused or abandoned. I don't think anyone wants that. I find it hard to understand how authorities can't look at the end goal - healthy, well adjusted and cared for animals and work back from that scenario. To get healthy dogs you need to care about genetics and who is breeding with who. To get a well socialised dog you need to ensure it stays with its mother to learn doggy things and you need to ensure it is exposed to sights and sounds and smells and other well adjusted animals of varying breeds. To get a well cared for animal you need an owner who understands the breed they have purchased and who has the funds and interest to keep it in good health and contained on their property. Puppy farms and impulse purchasing will guarantee you none of those things. It seems like it is a problem the government doesn't want to fix.

[Dame Aussie]

One could buy a second hand car for the prices some petshops have on their crossbred pups... who has that sort of money for an impulse buy? Dut those same people who do, will question paying $350 for a fully vaccinated, desexed, wormed, and health/temperament checked rescue dog/pup... go figure?

T.

I'll never understand this. People constantly complain about the price of shelter animals who come with all their vet work and temp tests, but then happily purchase an oodle with no vet work for double the price. Idiots.

[Sheridan]

But those people would be two different groups, wouldn't they?

[Christina]

Something on Today Tonight channel 7 at 6.30 on puppy farming.

[Dame Aussie]

But those people would be two different groups, wouldn't they?

Not in my experience. They seem to think shelter/rescue dogs should just be free but are happy to pay whatever the pet shop asks.

[Steph M]

But those people would be two different groups, wouldn't they?

Not in my experience. They seem to think shelter/rescue dogs should just be free but are happy to pay whatever the pet shop asks.

True. Shelter dogs are already homeless and unwanted so should be free, whereas oodles and cockerschnauzers x pugs are in high demand, therefore they have value attached.

Weirdest mindset. The sooner we get puppies out of pet shop windows the bloody better, imo.

[BC Crazy]

One could buy a second hand car for the prices some petshops have on their crossbred pups... who has that sort of money for an impulse buy? Dut those same people who do, will question paying $350 for a fully vaccinated, desexed, wormed, and health/temperament checked rescue dog/pup... go figure?

T.

Yes, how very true... go figure??? I will never understand it ...

There is a new ad on TV lately with 2 or 3 TV celeb's holding dogs & saying stuff like, " I was told she was a champion breeder, then it flashes a picture of the same breed dog in puppy farm facilities & so on . Very effective ad in my opinion. Notice they are airing it in prime viewing time as well That's a big part of the huge problem I believe. People just see this cute puppy in the pet shop window BUT they just don't stop & think where did this cute puppy actually come from. They just don't see the big picture.

[Stressmagnet]

I'm desperate to see this ad.

[Dogs Are Forever]

Although I am a long time member of Dogs NSW, I am not a breeder, but I thought DogsNSW registered breeders are not permitted to sell to pet shops??? Or did I get that wrong?

There are two pet shops at Erina Fair, which is one of the largest malls on the Central coast NSW. Both sell puppies. But apparently it's ok because 'they don't buy from pup farms, they buy from breeders', sez my local RSPCA.

They sell cross bred dogs for upwards of $1200. I enquired (just out of curiosity) about a cocker/cavalier pup and was told that it was a sought after cross and was $1600.

That's more than I paid for Ernie and his breeding is impeccable.

I do not know how this still goes on. I despair at the stupidity of people who buy from these shops - both do a roaring trade in crosses of all descriptions.

I will admit: they had a purebred black Labrador there two weeks ago and I swore I would buy it before I watched it grow up behind glass in a 1 metre square enclosure but it's disappeared. I guess I'm part of the problem.

Just ban the sale of dogs in pet stores. It's not hard - other countries have done it.

[Sheridan]

This is the Animals Australia ad.

[Boronia]

I'm desperate to see this ad.

I think this is the link Stressy, scroll down until the little dog's face with the 'play' arrow on it http://www.knowyourbestfriend.com/