August 23, 2013
Allegations that a Wondai couple have resumed “puppy farming” have been refuted by Biosecurity Queensland.
A spokesperson told southburnett.com.au today complaints made against the couple had been “fully investigated”.
“A Biosecurity Queensland inspector visited the property and found no breaches against the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 had been made,” a spokesperson said.
southburnett.com.au was contacted recently by a local resident who said complaints had made which had not been acted on.
But the Biosecurity Queensland spokesperson said complaints were made in mid-2012 and investigated.
“No further complaints have been received since August 2012,” the spokesperson said.
In 2011, the Wondai couple was convicted in the Kingaroy Magistrates Court of offences under the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001, including breaching a duty of care in relation to 246 dogs that were seized on September 9, 2009.
They were fined a total of $15,000 and ordered to pay $20,000 compensation. They were prohibited from acquiring any dog for a year or more than three dogs for two years. No convictions were recorded.
The RSPCA was tasked with finding homes for the seized animals, some of whom were pregnant.
RSPCA spokesman Michael Beattie said the organisation ended up having to find homes for more than 450 animals.
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