A Victorian dog breeder facing numerous animal cruelty charges has applied for permits to house her seized dogs and restart her business in Bendigo.
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Almost 70 of Fiona McCoy’s dogs are currently held by the RSPCA after being confiscated in Ballarat early last year.
The breeder, now residing in Mia Mia, stated in her application to the City of Greater Bendigo the facilities would be used to “rehabilitate and house working dogs”.
Ms McCoy is one of two breeders facing 40 criminal charges for alleged offences under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
The application states most of the dogs will return to working homes once rehabilitated while a few may remain on the property for ongoing training.
“After a long period of confinement in a non-working environment these dogs will have lost physical muscle mass and stamina that is required to work with sheep, cattle and goats,” the application states.
“Dogs will need re-educating to correct bad habits that have formed while confined for long periods of time.”
City of Greater Bendigo safe and healthy environments manager Caroline Grylls said in addition to a planning permit to house the dogs, Ms McCoy has applied for a Domestic Animal Business Permit which was being considered by the city.
Ms Grylls said council assessed planning applications on planning grounds only and do not consider separate legal proceedings.
“If the applicant wished to simply house animals on the property, and not operate a business, they would need to apply for a Local Laws, Keeping of Animals Permit, which applies for any person wanting to keep more than three dogs on a property in the rural zone,” she said.
RSPCA Victoria Acting Chief Operating Officer Tegan McPherson said the organisation was aware of the application.
The current applications are yet to be decided upon and have thus far received no public objections.
The pair will front court in Ballarat on August 29, when their criminal charges hearing will continue.