❓ Hon Amanda Dorn questions the Minister for Local Government on the implementation progress of the Dog Amendment (Stop Puppy Farming) Act 2021, particularly regarding the central registration database, accreditation process, breeding standards, and online sales.
AnsweredQoN 305Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Puppy farming—Reforms
305. Hon Amanda Dorn to the minister representing the Minister for Local
Government:
I refer the minister
to the gradual implementation of the Dog Amendment
(Stop Puppy Farming) Act 2021 , and I commend the government on its first
step in ensuring that puppies sold in Western Australia are no longer sourced
from cruel and exploitative puppy farms.
(1) When will the remaining components of the stop
puppy farming reforms, including the central registration database, the accreditation
process for rescue groups and the introduction of mandatory standards for dog
breeding be implemented?
(2) What safeguards are in place under the act to
prevent pet shops from bypassing the intent of the legislation by shifting
their business model online?
(3) In relation to (2), is the minister aware that
at least one pet shop, for which I am happy to provide details, has closed its
retail shopfront and announced publicly on its website that this was not by
their choice but due to WA government legislation, and followed this by reassuring
their customers that they will "move online and continue to bring you
great puppies and great service", and, if so, what action, if any, will
the government take to ensure that this online activity is compliant with the
legislation?
(4) What mechanisms are in place for members of
the public to report suspected breaches of the stop puppy farming legislation,
and how are these reports monitored and enforced?
The President: Before I give the call to the Minister
for Agriculture and Food, I remind members of standing order 105, which
requires our questions to be concise. I will see whether the minister is able
to answer the question.
305. Hon Amanda Dorn to the minister representing the Minister for Local
Government:
I refer the minister
to the gradual implementation of the Dog Amendment
(Stop Puppy Farming) Act 2021 , and I commend the government on its first
step in ensuring that puppies sold in Western Australia are no longer sourced
from cruel and exploitative puppy farms.
(1) When will the remaining components of the stop
puppy farming reforms, including the central registration database, the accreditation
process for rescue groups and the introduction of mandatory standards for dog
breeding be implemented?
(2) What safeguards are in place under the act to
prevent pet shops from bypassing the intent of the legislation by shifting
their business model online?
(3) In relation to (2), is the minister aware that
at least one pet shop, for which I am happy to provide details, has closed its
retail shopfront and announced publicly on its website that this was not by
their choice but due to WA government legislation, and followed this by reassuring
their customers that they will "move online and continue to bring you
great puppies and great service", and, if so, what action, if any, will
the government take to ensure that this online activity is compliant with the
legislation?
(4) What mechanisms are in place for members of
the public to report suspected breaches of the stop puppy farming legislation,
and how are these reports monitored and enforced?
The President: Before I give the call to the Minister
for Agriculture and Food, I remind members of standing order 105, which
requires our questions to be concise. I will see whether the minister is able
to answer the question.
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question.
I assure the member
that the answer is more concise than the question. The following response has
been provided by the Minister for Local Government.
(1) In relation to the
centralised registration system (CRS), the WA government is currently reviewing
its options. In relation to mandatory standards for dog breeding, the
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has commenced
drafting regulations to give the published dog standards and guidelines legal
effect under the Animal Welfare Act 2002 .
(2)–(3) The approval to breed framework
for dogs will enable local governments to monitor breeding practices and the
source of dogs. The regulations to give effect to this element of the stop
puppy farming reforms are currently under development.
(4) Local governments are responsible for the
enforcement of the Dog Act 1976 , including
receiving reports of suspected breaches and undertaking investigations.
honourable member for some notice of the question.
I assure the member
that the answer is more concise than the question. The following response has
been provided by the Minister for Local Government.
(1) In relation to the
centralised registration system (CRS), the WA government is currently reviewing
its options. In relation to mandatory standards for dog breeding, the
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has commenced
drafting regulations to give the published dog standards and guidelines legal
effect under the Animal Welfare Act 2002 .
(2)–(3) The approval to breed framework
for dogs will enable local governments to monitor breeding practices and the
source of dogs. The regulations to give effect to this element of the stop
puppy farming reforms are currently under development.
(4) Local governments are responsible for the
enforcement of the Dog Act 1976 , including
receiving reports of suspected breaches and undertaking investigations.
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