21 November 2011
• Maximum penalties for illegal puppy farms and confiscation of assets
• Creation of a $1.6 million Animal Welfare Fund
• Permanent identification of all dogs and cats before sale
Member for Mornington, David Morris today commended the Baillieu Government for introducing tough new legislation to the Victorian Parliament cracking down on illegal puppy farms.
The Victorian Coalition Government announced the crackdown on illegal puppy farms, including tough new penalties, massive fines for cruelty, equipping the RSPCA with new policing and confiscation powers, seizing profits and assets of illegal puppy farms and establishing an Animal Welfare Fund.
Mr Morris said it was important to advocate for animals that played such an important role in many families and homes across Victoria.
The legislation being considered by Parliament would deliver on the Victorian Liberal Nationals Coalition election commitment to crack down on illegal puppy farms and ensured operators were held accountable for the welfare of animals in their care.
“These are some of the strongest laws ever introduced to protect animals from abuse and neglect.”
“The legislation will also make it illegal to sell or advertise the sale of puppies without a microchip identification number or notice, giving the community confidence that puppies sold are only from legitimate breeders.”
The Coalition Government’s crackdown includes:
• an increase in maximum penalties for puppy farms operating illegally, from $1,195 to $20,000;
• penalties of up to $30,000 for rogue operators that breach the Code of Practice;
• a ban on owning animals of up to 10 years for those found guilty of operating un-registered puppy farms or breaching the Code of Practice;
• the introduction of a new offence for breeding establishments that fail to provide a microchip number (or council domestic animal business registration number) in an advertisement for a dog or cat; and
• the potential seizure of profits, assets and property of illegal puppy farm operators.
“The Victorian Government has strongly opposed illegal puppy farm practices and these changes to the law will send a strong message to those who abuse animals that the Coalition Government will not tolerate rogue operators or animal abuse.”
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