PUPPY FARMING
751. Ms
L.L. BAKER to the Minister for Local Government:
I refer to the McGowan Labor
government's commitment to the people of Western Australia at the last
election that we would bring an end to the cruel and abhorrent practice of
puppy farming.
(1) Can the
minister tell the house if he is aware of any recent cases of puppy farming and
the fraudulent behaviour involved in selling puppies?
(2) If he can,
can he also outline how our legislation to stop this behaviour would work?
Mr D.A.
TEMPLEMAN replied:
I thank the member for Maylands for
her very important question. I want to also acknowledge her ongoing stoic
advocacy for animal welfare in Western Australia. It is remarkable.
(1)–(2) Sadly, we have had more reports of the appalling
practice of puppy farming. An alleged case will go before the courts
that I cannot speak about in great detail. However, only in early September a man
in Bellevue was charged after the police found 25 dogs, including 16 puppies,
in his home. He has been charged with falsely advertising the breed of a dog
and providing a false professional breeders association number. Police have had
to issue updated warnings, including the one I have here, which I am happy to
table, and which alerts potential buyers to fraudulent online advertisements.
As the member knows, the McGowan
government went to the election in 2017 with a very clear policy to address
this abhorrent practice of puppy farming. It was a very clear policy that
included introduction of mandatory standards for breeders and a centralised registration
system. I will come back to that because it goes to the very point of the
member's question. The Dog Amendment (Stop Puppy Farming) Bill is
focused on stopping puppy farming through a transparent process, including
registering breeders. It also focuses on transitioning pet shops to adoption
agencies.
This chamber has already seen this
legislation pass. The Labor government is absolutely committed to making sure
we stop puppy farming. The opposition, however, is not—it is not
supporting this legislation. Only recently, we saw an appalling example of
animal cruelty to the dog Strawberry, which got a lot of media attention, and
which was found in utterly appalling conditions. That goes to the very point of
why we are trying to pass this legislation. We can do it before Christmas if
the Leader of the Opposition stands up and talks to those in the other place
and tells them that it should happen.
Mrs L.M. Harvey interjected.
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN: It is coming on for debate. The Leader of the
Opposition did not even make a contribution to the debate when it was in
this place. The fact of the matter is that the bill can pass this Parliament
into law this year, before Christmas. We will then have a centralised
registration system so puppies can be traced from birth to their death. We will
be able to know the dogs' registration and breeding so that dogs like
Strawberry, with dead puppies in her stomach, do not die in agony. That is this
example. The bill has passed this place but we know the National Party and the
Liberal Party oppose it.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER: Members!
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN: Why are
members opposite opposed to this important legislation, which is about the
protection of animals and ensuring we have a system in place to stop this abhorrent
practice? I call upon the opposition—the
National Party and the Liberal Party—to read the article about
Strawberry, and I table the document.
[See papers 3801
and 3802.]
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN: I ask the
Liberal and National Parties to read that example. That is not the only example
we see of why the abhorrent practice of puppy farming must be stopped. This
government is absolutely committed to stopping it. You are trying to hold it
up; you are trying to stop this important legislation. I say this: be it on
your heads if the Dog Amendment (Stop Puppy Farming) Bill 2020 does not pass
the upper house this year, because we will take it to the election and I tell
you what; there is nothing more important than the protection of our pets that are loved. It is a very important issue for
many people and many families. I think that if members opposite read the
articles that I have tabled today, they will know in their heart and understand
why we are so passionate about making sure we stop puppy farming, have a system
in place that tracks a dog from its birth to its death and have a registered
breeding system. It is the right thing to do. Members opposite know it. Support
the legislation in the other place so we can have this law in place before
Christmas.
Mr D.C. Nalder: It's
so misleading.
The SPEAKER: What did you
say, member for Bateman?
Mr D.C. Nalder: Misleading.
We didn't oppose it in this place.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER: Do not worry
about me. Three weeks we have been going. We have been fairly good. I knew the
last day would be a bit —
Mr Z.R.F. Kirkup: Like the
last day at school—terrible.
The SPEAKER: Just make sure
you do not get expelled.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER: Come on,
members; we are nearly there.