ON FRIDAY we launched a campaign to stop puppy “studs” as a parliamentary hearing into the practice prepares to take submissions in Armidale next week.
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Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall is chairing the Companion Animal Breeding Practices inquiry and wants to regulate the industry. The inquiry has been deluged with 330 submissions and more than 2200 letters.
Of the 15 submissions published, many are calling for the industry to be regulated.
We support their cause.
The hearing in Armidale is the first of three public hearings, the second and third of which will take place in Sydney over the next week.
A number of those who made submissions have asked to speak on Tuesday at the first hearing at Armidale Dumaresq Council chambers.
They include Armidale Dumaresq Council, local breeders and facility owners Jude Costello and Pat Carmody and Geoff Johnson, animal welfare advocate Judy Scrivener and Armidale citizen Phil Evans.
The Express will cover the inquiry and is committed to helping stop the practice of puppy “studs”.
Earlier this year The Express exposed a puppy “stud” which was home to 183 dogs, 70 of which were breeding bitches.
We urge greater regulation of establishments such as this.
“For some time the Northern Tablelands community has been aware of the issues surrounding puppy factories and has been debating how to deal with them," Mr Marshall said.
Animal welfare groups are calling for a breeding licencing system to be introduced.
Armidale Dumaresq Council believes an education campaign is needed but warns against a breeders’ licencing system.
Its submission highlighted the difficulty in enforcing a licencing system since many animal sales happen by word of mouth.
Breeder Jude Costello, who will be presenting evidence at the hearing, is expected to echo the calls of the RSPCA to ban the sale of dogs and cats at pet shops.
“Good breeders, should and generally are, very careful when checking out prospective buyers so their puppies are going to suitable caring homes,” Ms Costello’s submission read.
She is also concerned increased regulation on purebred breeders will add unnecessary strain and cost on to breeders who are already following strict ethical guidelines.
And while many stakeholders are calling for a restriction on dog numbers breeders such as Ms Costello warned that this would force breeders to start their breeding bitches younger and more often.