As has become apparent over the last 12months the changes to the Victorian Domestic Animals Act (DAA) which was heralded as the gold standard for welfare has done nothing to stop puppy farmers, in fact it has seen an increase in breeding by so-called ‘back yard breeders’ (BYB) who have undertaken little to no research into the breeds that they are breeding and are simply breeding to make a profit. Given that the average Cavoodle ranges up from $6000 per puppy and this is generally from untested parents that were purchased purely for making money, we still have a huge problem.
The changes to legislation have decreased the number of registered breeders even though the government made promises to ensure the registered breeders would be granted concessions under the Act. Changes to planning laws have meant this is not a reality. The sad reality is that you can own two dogs and breed them numerous times but own more than that and you must jump through hoops to change your land use.
Along with the increase in prices for dogs there is also increased media attention on the health issues being seen in dogs. What the average person doesn’t realise is the work that goes into breeding dogs and the research that should be done before animals are even considered for mating. Consumers just see a beautiful puppy that they are desperate for, instead of understanding the numerous health tests that reputable breeders undertake. These tests are not undertaken by most designer dog breeders, BYB’s and not even all larger commercial breeders. But in Victoria animals are covered under consumer law and seen as ‘goods’’ which means an owner can claim for conditions affecting their animals, three years after buying the animals. This is where the grey area begins as there are some conditions that can be genetic but these conditions can also be caused by environmental factors. One example of this is Hip dysplasia. Any reputable breeder who has a breed likely to have issues with this debilitating condition will test the parents before mating to ensure that they are breeding with animals with low scores, these scores are undertaken by expert physicians not just any old vet.
But, if someone buys a dog and years down the track the dog develops an issue, or one becomes apparent, the breeder may find themselves liable, even though they have done everything in their power to ensure they are doing all possible to breed healthy puppies. To add to this it is also hard for the breeder to prove this may not have been environmental, or over exercise at a young age, or jumping off things, and general rough play, as these can also be causes of this same condition.
Shelters are not expected to provide the same guarantees and most BYB’s also able to avoid these claims, as most are probably not contactable after 3 years and these puppies generally come with no real paperwork.
Again like with the DAA changes the people that suffer the consequences from these rules are the registered breeders. The ones who are already traceable, the ones that are bound by codes of practice and codes of ethics that set-out expectations.
Why are animals treated as cars? How can we guarantee any living breathing being, in life genetics can throw curve balls that no one could of even thought of, let alone test for? It’s what happens in life. We see the same things with humans.
These very same standards and requirements designed to protect the welfare of the animals and the peace of mind of their owners (buyers) is now the primary undoing of both parties that they were meant to protect. These standards and requirements were strongly influenced by the animal rights movement and NOT by the people with the actual experience, those people breeding the animals with the welfare of their animals paramount.
By: Kylie Gilbert – Animal Care Australia Dog Representative – Originally published: September 2021 ACE Newsletter.
