The West Australian Government has passed new legislation to help crack down on puppy farming across the state.
The new laws include mandatory sterilisation of dogs by two years of age unless exempt, a requirement for consumers to receive information at purchase about where dogs have come from, the transition of pet shops into adoption centres, and the de-muzzling of pet greyhounds.
Mark McGowan, WA Premier, said puppy farming is a cruel practice that puts commercial gain over the welfare of dogs and that stamping this out is a priority for the WA Government.
“Dogs are an important part of many WA families and we should be doing what we can to make sure they’re looked after and treated well.”
Over 5,000 submissions were received during consultation on the legislation with overwhelming support in the community.
Part of the new laws also includes the creation of a centralised registration system run by local governments to hold information on dogs, cats, and approved breeders, to assist with monitoring and enforcement.
“These laws mean we can trace a dog throughout its life and give people confidence their pet is coming from a reputable breeder that treats animals with care and dignity.”
John Carey, Local Government Minister, said the legislation is going to help identify dodgy or illegal breeders and shut down their operations, and praised the creation of the registration system.
“Having a centralised registration system is also going to ease the regulatory burden on local governments and dog owners, as people won’t have to re-register dogs if they move into a new council area.”