THE RSPCA has welcomed the state government's move to introduce tougher legislation for puppy farms three months sooner than anticipated, while adding extra measures to combat illegal operators.
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Victorian agriculture minister Jaala Pulford announced the fast-tracking of the legislation on Sunday, including giving councils great power and flexibility over domestic animal businesses.
Under the changes, anyone who has been found guilty of animal cruelty in the past 10 years will be unable to register or re-register a domestic animal business.
Believed to be the toughest laws on puppy farms in Australia, councils will also have greater power to seize animals if the person running the business has been found guilty of animal cruelty.
Speaking with the Bendigo Advertiser, RSPCA chief executive officer Dr Liz Walker said a five litter limit would be an important part of the legislation.
"These laws would have had a real impact on the type of puppy farms that have been uncovered recently, had they been in place for the last five, 10 or 20 years," she said.
"The other promise was for the sale of domestic animals through pet shops to come only from animal shelters and registered businesses, which we think needs to be really robust."
The previous Coalition government planned to introduce some of the changes on July 1 this year, which have since been brought forward.
Changes requiring pet shop owners to keep records of every cat or dog sold will come in on July 1.
Labor also added mandatory breeding vet checks, the five litter limit and the requirement for pet shops to sell puppies supplied only by registered businesses or animal shelters.
Dr Walker said it was now time for other states to follow Victoria's lead before illegal puppy farm owners shifted their operations interstate.
"We're fearful that some of these bad operators will take their businesses interstate," she said.
Ms Pulford said the planned legislation needed to be tougher.
"Our plan to crack down on puppy farms will make the laws stronger, saving breeding dogs and cats from a lifetime of misery," she said.
