More Puppy Farms

– David Margan

Greed is a universal human failing and drives everything from a failing environment to the scourge of puppy farms.

Despite the rising tide of protest and opposition to these dog factories applications for development approval for these canine stalags grows apace.

The latest sits before the Scenic Rim Council seeking approval to expand an existing designer dog breeding site to accommodate upwards of 100 dogs.

Council officers are likely to recommend its approval, as they did at the Sunshine Coast Council in the case of the Diamond Valley Development Application. Fortunately in the latter case, after an intense lobbying campaign that saw and Australian record of 450,000 submissions, the Sunshine Coast Councillors voted the application down, 8-1.

The problem here is that the planning legislation Queensland Local Government authorities have to follow contains not a single clause regarding the welfare of animals at the heart of such applications.

The puppy farm application before the Scenic Rim Council is a classic example.

The codes contain concerns about the environment, the rural amenity, the amenity of neighbours, the rural landscape, koala habitat, the gaol shed that will house the breeders, requirements to prevent their escape, noise prevention but not a word regarding the welfare of the inmates. For example the Animal Keeping Code’s only concern, much like the breeding of designer dogs, is only about the looks and aesthetics of the gaol. Its only reference to the inmates is the need for the building to be constructed in such a way; “… that dogs are unable to escape;” As for noise that may disturb the neighbours the Scenic Rim applicants say they will use antibarking collars that use electrical shocks and a noxious spray. These are a cruel devices, never to be used long term or at all if you care about the dog. There is no requirement for more than one hour in 24 for socialisation and exercise and even that is not monitored or enforced.

The legislation needs urgent amendment so that local government authorities can decline to engage in puppy farming and its dishonest trade. It’s the only solution short of banning puppy farms.

It’s time the Queensland government paid more than lip service to animal welfare.