Outrage after the animal abuser allowed the dogs to continue breeding

A New Wales MP has called for tougher penalties for pet abuse after a dog-breeding duo of a father and daughter received a $ 20,000 fine for animal cruelty.

Court records show that dog breeders of North South Wales were convicted on 2 May for 18 offenses.

The man was fined $ 16,700 for failing to provide veterinary treatment, cruelty to animals and failing to comply, and the woman was fined $ 4,200 for the latest offense and possession of an unregistered electrical appliance.

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said that in September 2020 it conducted a raid on a breeding operation of the couple, checking the health of 441 dogs, including 250 puppies.

Inspectors rescued 21 adult dogs and 41 puppies from conditions they believed were “mental.”

The RSPCA said the couple kept the dogs on wet concrete floors in closed kennel blocks.

“Veterinarians have concluded that the animals suffer from a number of health problems, including ear infections, severe dental disease, intestinal worms, poor health, conjunctivitis, tangled coats, wounds and urinary burns,” the RSPCA said in a statement.

“The convicts were given written instructions to apply for veterinary care to another 32 dogs within 2-4 weeks.”

Judge Holly Kemp of the local court of Inverella ordered the couple not to keep more than 80 pedigree dogs and 25 pedigree dogs.

Breeders have also been ordered to pay the RSPCA $ 150,000 between them for the cost of caring for some animals.

At a parliamentary hearing Monday, the Animal Justice Party’s Emma Hearst noted that state laws do not prevent couples from continuing to breed dogs.

Ms. Hearst advocates tougher rules for breeders and says her proposed bill on amendments to companion animals (puppy farms) will help eliminate the problem.

“We have a situation where these people can continue to run an institution with 100 dogs – how can that mean NSW government legislation works; how good is the performance? ” Asked Mrs. Hearst.

Deputy Director of the Department of Primary Industry Tara Black replied: “The role of the DPI is to govern the law, and we have significant penalties provided by law for the courts and law enforcement to apply in a specific case that may be appropriate.”

Commenting after the hearing, Ms. Hearst said she was “shocked” that people convicted of animal cruelty would still be allowed to breed pets.

“Our laws clearly do not support pets in this state,” she said.

“The committee has heard that many breeders in New Wales have been found guilty of animal cruelty and still have the right to run puppy farms.

“Laws need to be introduced immediately to protect animals from known animal abuse to stop more such cases, and puppy farming should be outlawed.”

Ms. Hearst’s bill has met with some opposition from breeders and lobby groups who argue that it will lead to a pop tendon of legitimate breeders but will fail to stop illegal business.