ALMOST 70 dogs and puppies have been rescued after a property was raided north of Bendigo yesterday.
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Forty-eight dogs and 21 puppies were rescued under warrant from an alleged 'puppy factory', after an RSPCA investigation.
Police and council staff raided the property along with a rescue team of RSPCA Victoria inspectors, veterinarians and animal carers.
The raid followed a tipoff from the public.
RSPCA Victoria inspectorate manager Allie Jalbert said the team was able to “successfully and safely remove the dogs and is relieved that they are now in the care of the RSPCA.”
They included spoodles, poodles, cavalier King Charles spaniels, cocker spaniels, pugs, kelpies, beagles and chows, all allegedly being bred for the retail trade.
"They will breed whatever there is demand for," Ms Jalbert said.
"For a while it was smaller mixed breeds, but now we're seeing larger dogs too."
Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, RSPCA Victoria could not provide details on the exact location of the facility, conditions of the animals and the facility or the identity/ies of the operators.
The dogs have been taken to the RSPCA’s Burwood East Animal Care Centre where classical music played as the dogs were placed in clean and comfortable pens with food, water and new toys.
Some dogs had been admitted directly to the clinic for further veterinarian care.
RSPCA Victoria will care for and aim to rehabilitate the dogs with the assistance of specialist vets, an animal behaviour team, animal attendants and volunteers with the hope that they will be able to lead a normal, happy life in the future.
“For many of these dogs, the road to recovery will be long but with the help of our staff and volunteers, the future looks very bright. It takes a village,” Ms Jalbert said.
Vets will inspect each rescued dog to catalogue signs of mistreatment, including for worms, parasites, diseases and malnourishment, treating each animal as a potential crime scene.
The RSPCA is working towards charging the operators with offences under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
This week RSPCA Victoria also launched an online "tip-off" service for people with information on suspected intensive breeding activities taking place in their community.
People can choose to remain anonymous if they wish and can find the service at www.rspcavic.org/tipoff
Last year RSPCA Victoria inspectors received 10,708 cruelty complaints related to 17,995 alleged animal cruelty offences.
It cost the RSPCA $820,000 to provide care and treatment to animals rescued while awaiting for matters to be resolved in court.
- with The Age
