June 5, 2017
The State Government claims Queenslanders have responded “enthusiastically” to a new law designed to stamp out puppy farms, including 294 people in the Wide Bay-Burnett.
“In the first week more than 2200 Queenslanders have registered for free on the new Queensland Dog Breeder Register,” Agriculture Minister Bill Byrne said on Sunday.
“I think that shows strong support for the legislation and that overwhelmingly dog owners in our state want to do the right thing.
“We know that the vast majority of dog lovers support the measures, and this is a very encouraging start in smashing the business model for unethical and exploitative breeders.”
Mr Byrne said the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries had engaged with more than 250,000 people on social media since the Dog Breeder Register went live last Friday.
Anyone who breeds a dog must register as a dog breeder and get a supply number within 28 days of the litter being born.
All breeders must use their supply number when advertising, selling or giving away puppies born from May 26, 2017 and the supply number must be included in the microchip information of the dog.
The supply number can then be used to find information about the breeder using the online register.
“The new register will give people and families buying pets the ability to find more information about the pet’s background so they know they are buying from a registered breeder,” Mr Byrne said.
The new laws apply to regular and occasional breeders (including backyard litters), with specific exemptions for some genuine working dogs.
Implementing compliance with the new laws involves a partnership between local councils, Biosecurity Queensland and the RSPCA Queensland.
Anyone with a dog that has a litter should visit Dog Breeder Register website or call 13-25-23 to register, even if it is an accidental litter and they intend to give the dogs away.
Registrations have come in so far from:
- South East Queensland – 1159
- Wide Bay-Burnett – 294
- Darling Downs – 265
- Central Queensland – 215
- North Queensland – 128
- Far North Queensland – 103
- South West Queensland – 19
- North West Queensland – 17
- Central West Queensland – 6
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