THE State Government has moved to close down poorly run puppy farms.
Agriculture Minister Leanne Donaldson introduced a Bill into Parliament this week, which will make registration of dog breeders compulsory.
“A new dog breeder registration system will ... make it possible to locate and close down those dog breeding facilities where profit is put before the welfare of dogs,” she said.
Puppy farms have emerged as a major animal cruelty issue over the past decade as back yard breeders moved to make money on the back of trendy poodle crosses.
In 2008 Buccan breeder Geraldine Robertson faced a total of 149 breaches over the care of animals. Later the case was permanently stayed on the grounds that she was not fit to stand trial.
Mrs Robertson has said she was innocent, arguing that none of her dogs were sick and she was not guilty of any wrongdoing.
Ms Donaldson said 95 per cent of respondents to a survey completed by more than 8300 people supported compulsory registration.
“This will be backed up with compulsory standards and guidelines for breeding dogs developed in consultation with the RSPCA and Dogs Queensland,” she said.
“...As with any industry, there are those people that do the right thing and those that don’t.”
RSPCA chief executive Mark Townend said some animals had been held in appalling conditions.
“It’s purely a money-making exercise and often the dogs suffer from genetic conditions that will cost future owners thousands of dollars in veterinary bills,’’ he said.
Ms Donaldson said the idea was to force about 100 puppy farms out of business.
“Our target is those breeders who are not prepared to consider the health and well-being of their dogs and those who seek to hide from scrutiny because their practices are reprehensible,” she said.
Meantime, Opposition agriculture spokeswoman Deb Frecklington called on the Government to release a major review of laws regulating veterinary surgeons which was prepared almost a year ago.
She said the review of the Veterinary Surgeons Act had been left to gather dust.
“Thousands of hours of work have gone into the review,’’ she said. “It’s way past time its recommendations were released publicly in the next step to updating regulations that go back 80 years.”
The review looked at issues including restrictions on non-veterinarians practising veterinary science for fees, the Act's relationship with animal welfare legislation and whether allied and complementary animal health service providers should be regulated.