Public warned against online puppy purchases
Animal welfare authorities have warned the public to beware of the burgeoning - and unregulated - industry of selling pets over the internet, just days after two people were successfully prosecuted for breaching the duty of care to the 113 dogs bred for sale online.
Cheerful pictures of puppies promoted on the topdogzdownunder.com.au website contrast sharply with video shot by RSPCA officers who raided the breeders' Calcium property at Townsville on the July 31 this year.
There they found a breeding shed, located on acreage, which was packed to the rafters with puppies and their mothers, many caked in their own urine and faeces and displaying behavioural problems stemming from thier cramped conditions.
Many were suffering from ear, eye and teeth infections, according to inspectors, who also found a large upright freezer "crammed full" of the frozen carcasses of puppies, guinea pigs, rats and fowl.
The bust resulted in fines of $12,500 for each of the breeders, who were charged with 131 animal cruetly offences, including failure to provide appropriate living conditions and treatment for injury or disease.
RSPCA spokesman Michael Beatty said the unregulated sector of online dog breeding would continue to produce cruelty cases as long as consumer demand remained high.
"If you go through the (internet) industry, they have congenital defects, no papers and no way of knowing where they came from," Mr Beatty said.
"While people continue to buy dogs from these people, the industry will keep going."
Mr Beatty said well-meaning local councils had limits on the number of animals that could be bred for sale, but authorities were under-resourced to conduct patrols and checks for rogue operators.
"The Canine Control Council doesn't have the teeth to regulate this industry and go after those doing the wrong thing.
"I don't think most people realise where they are getting their dogs from."
Animal experts recommend prospective pet owners physically inspect the living quarters of animals and their health condition before buying them.
Mr Beatty said the RSPCA conducted behavioural and health tests and matched dogs and puppies to people's lifestyles, so that prospective pet owners knew what they were getting.
The charity has also this year introduced a pet gift voucher system, to try to prevent unsuitable puppy purchases for Christmas.
The vouchers - for rescued animals being kept at RSPCA shelters - are valid for one year.
Mr Beatty said the RSPCA would continue to pursue puppy "farmers", mainly through tip offs from neighbours and local residents.
Earlier this year, a man at Bundaberg was prosecuted after 67 chihuahuas were found at an alleged puppy farm, and a woman at Waterford remains locked in a legal battle with the RSPCA after 104 dogs, mainly poodles, were seized from her property by animal welfare officers.
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