ANIMAL rights group Oscar’s Law has accused the RSPCA of “not doing its job” after the society decided the owner of a puppy farm near Armidale did not breach the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
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Fairfax Media published video and photos taken by members of Oscar’s Law, allegedly showing horrific conditions at the Wandsworth puppy farm run by breeder Jennifer Frazer.
Two RSPCA investigators and a veterinarian investigated the property on Friday and are continuing with their inquiries.
But Oscar’s Law New England representative Judy Scrivener claimed the investigation was inadequate.
She said there was no way one vet could properly assess the more than 100 dogs on the property in the time they were given.
Oscar’s Law issued the veterinarian report from last year, when Frazer was fined $11,500 for three counts of aggravated animal cruelty and four counts of failing to provide veterinary treatment. In that report the vet, who spent two days assessing the dogs, had the help of an assistant.
Ms Scrivener said she thought it would be impossible for one vet to assess more than 100 animals in the space of one day.
But RSPCA chief inspector David O’Shannessy said a number of factors had changed on the property since that report was compiled in August 2013.
He said the numbers of dogs had fallen from about 155 last year but would not comment on how many there were now.
Mr O’Shannessy said he couldn’t reveal exactly how long investigators spent on the property but confirmed it was only the one day.
But he did stress that the RSPCA’s investigation was continuing and the organisation had found breaches of the code of practice, which sets the minimum standards for dog breeders.
Mr O’Shannessy said these claims would be investigated.
He also said if some of Oscar’s Law’s claims about the property could be proven then that may constitute a breach of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
Frazer has denied the allegations by Oscar’s Law against her and said last year was the first time she had any issues relating to animal welfare.