Glen Innes Severn Council (GISC) mayor Carol Sparks brought the motion to councillors last week and said the community is growing increasingly concerned about the industry.

"Of course they are," she said.

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"As a general rule I would say the community wouldn't want animal cruelty anywhere in their area, particular councils. Councils are being given a burden and being blamed as well. And it's not really the councils' fault, it's the legislation that's not strict enough."

The region is reportedly home to one of the state's largest concentrations of puppy breeders.

GISC has unanimously agreed to write to the premier, Local Government Minister Shelley Hancock and Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall.

Weak legislation leaves councils little power to deny or regulate industry expansion.

Councils are sick of being stuck between expectations and relative powerlessness, Cr Sparks said.

"State government should be putting stricter guidelines in for councils to enact when people are applying for these sort of things, so that we can say no to them," she said.

GISC recently approved a puppy breeding establishment at Mount Mitchell, with conditions capping it at 50 dogs.

Compliance for breeding establishments or "puppy farms" is largely a local government responsibility. Many developments operate without council approval. RSPCA officers provide assistance in surveillance and enforcement.

The council was approached by the Animal Justice Party, which asked them to support the letter. The party conducted a campaign to pressure Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall to support stricter regulation last year, and he announced increased resources for the RSPCA.

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