PUPPY FARMING
30. Hon RICK MAZZA to the Leader of the House representing
the Minister for Local Government:
I refer to the media release of 26
November 2018, titled ''Don't support puppy farmers this
Christmas'', in which the government proposes to introduce mandatory dog
desexing and breeding standards, a centralised registration system to track
dogs and the transitioning of pet shops into adoption centres.
(1) How many puppy farms have been
investigated by the state government in the last five years?
(2) Of those investigated, how many
resulted in prosecution under the Animal Welfare Act?
Hon SUE
ELLERY replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1)–(2) As previously advised by the Minister for Agriculture
and Food, the responsibility for the Animal Welfare Act was transferred
to the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, formerly the
Department of Agriculture and Food. Under a memorandum of understanding between
the department and the RSPCA, the RSPCA is the primary responder to reports of
cruelty to dogs and other companion animals, including investigating and
prosecuting cases of cruelty for puppy farmers. The department has therefore
not directly undertaken investigations during this period. To date, I am
advised the RSPCA has prosecuted two cases for harm to animals relating to
conditions from puppy farming activity.