Perth Voice Interactive

REVELATIONS an Inglewood pet shop has been sourcing dogs from an eastern states dog breeder who fails to meet industry standards has renewed calls for a ban on “puppy farm” pets.

The RSPCA found more than 200 dogs on the farm in northern NSW and found several instances of non-compliance with the animal welfare code of practice (but not animal cruelty). The RSPCA recommended the breeder reduce numbers and 45 animals were surrendered.

Fairfax media this week reported a dog bought from Mount Lawley Pets and Puppies died nine days after purchase, succumbing to bronchopneumonia brought on by kennel cough.

In January Mount Lawley Pets and Puppies co-owner Rose Wilson told the Voice “we don’t deal with backyard breeders” and she’s sticking to that, and defending her supplier.

“Do you think we’d be stupid enough to take puppies from somewhere that we weren’t happy to endorse?” the ABC reported her saying, Monday.

“We couldn’t be doing it any better that I can think of right now, and as far as the breeders that we use, they’re all caring breeders.

“I know there are going to be people who cast doubt on that, but all I can say is if you have any concern, call us direct.”

Ms Wilson maintains her shop is being “unfairly targeted” by Oscar’s Law campaigners who demand an end to puppy farms and the sale of pets from shops. A protest was held there earlier this week.

The campaigners argue it’s wrong to breed dogs for sale when there are so many abandoned and available for rescue.

Puppy farms vary in quality, but all treat the birth and sale of puppies as a business. The worst are squalid, cruel and cramped, with mothers kept permanently pregnant to pump out litters, and ruthlessly disposed of when too exhausted to continue.

Pet shops use membership of the Pet Industry Association of Australia as a shield against accusations of cruelty: the PIAA guarantees its dogs are sourced from responsible breeders, but PIAA’s inspection and enforcement capability has been exposed as inadequate.

Maylands Labor MP Lisa Baker, a long-time animal rights campaigner, says her party is committed to stopping puppy farms and has a paper out for public comment (http://www.markmcgowan.com.au/puppies).

Ideas so far include limiting females to five litters, pre-mating and post-birth vet checks, sterilising dogs not intended for breeding, and breeder registration for easier auditing.

Properly educating the public is a big step, Ms Baker says: “There needs to be much better consumer awareness about the issue,” she says, with many having no idea what conditions their expensive designer dogs are bred in.

by DAVID BELL