The government’s new dog regulations are a long-due, and welcome reform.
The Greens have long called for a ban on puppy farms in Tasmania. While these regulations don’t do that, by restricting breeding they are an improvement on the cruel status quo.
Limiting litter numbers and mandating vet checks for pregnant dogs is the basic standard.
Without mandatory breeder registration, and a cap on breeding bitches, regulations alone can’t fix the exploitative cruelty of puppy farming. Sadly, inspectors will only discover a breeding operation exists when a complaint’s made, which is after dogs have been mistreated, neglected or abused.
Another critical part of the updated Dog Regulations is removing the loophole that existed for working and hunting dogs, and – critically – Tasracing-registered greyhounds.
Greyhound racing facilities, like trainer and breeder kennels, were exempt under the previous rules. This has meant welfare inspectors like the RSPCA had no jurisdiction to enter properties where racing greyhounds may be suffering.
Today’s changes to dog regulations will give the RSPCA the power they need to protect the welfare of greyhounds, while greyhound racing itself exists.
These changes should also put the greyhound industry on notice. From today, the conditions they keep their dogs in will be judged under the Animal Welfare Act 1993, just like every other dog.
While they’ve enjoyed reduced scrutiny and oversight under the Animal Welfare Act, today that ends – and inspectors can now turn up to their facilities at any time.
The greyhound industry claims their love their dogs, and they have no cruelty, neglect or mistreatment issues. Time will tell
