News and updates
Draft Animal Welfare Bill 2022 - (Department of Primary Industries)
15-02-2022As set out in the last Weekly Woof (dated 11 February 2022), our most important issue at present is the Draft Animal Welfare Act 2022 (Department Of Primary Industries) and the points to note that were included in our Weekly Woof.
Some of those concerns are that, currently there are additional areas in the Draft which were not included in the original Consultation Paper, which was sent to all stakeholders: (such as banning of surgical insemination, now not to be contained in Bill) (travelling dogs in a trailer must be air conditioned?). These are two (2) areas which were not included in the original Consultation Paper.
All members need to write preferably by postal mail (if not possible, then resort to email) to their State Parliamentary Member (see attached listing below).
All letters must be in your own words not pro forma letters they are not considered.
Please click here for the list of NSW members of Parliament and contact details.
Areas that you may raise, if they concern you are:
Some of those concerns are that, currently there are additional areas in the Draft which were not included in the original Consultation Paper, which was sent to all stakeholders: (such as banning of surgical insemination, now not to be contained in Bill) (travelling dogs in a trailer must be air conditioned?). These are two (2) areas which were not included in the original Consultation Paper.
All members need to write preferably by postal mail (if not possible, then resort to email) to their State Parliamentary Member (see attached listing below).
All letters must be in your own words not pro forma letters they are not considered.
Please click here for the list of NSW members of Parliament and contact details.
Areas that you may raise, if they concern you are:
1) That you consider this Bill, if it becomes legislation, will destroy your ability to enjoy your hobby/lifestyle as an exhibitor/hobby breeder, etc.
2) That you support Animal Welfare, as all animals deserve to be given the best care and attention, which as a hobbyist you do, as you are not a facility,
3) Concerns regarding enforcement and compliance, powers that can be exercised on premises. (How do you perceive that will affect you?)
4) The wording 'seized things' is confusing; to what things on your property may be seized.
Each member needs to look at this Bill and the pages we outlined previously and put into their own words how this Draft Animal Welfare Bill 2022 will affect them personally if it becomes legislation, meaning this becomes law.
The pages we previously outlined were:
1. Page 2, Part 1 Introduction, Division 1 Preliminary section 4 (c).
2. Page 4, Part 2 Interpretation, Division 2 Key concepts, section 7 (e)
3. Page 4, Part 2 Interpretation, Divison 2 Key concepts, section 7 (d) and (e)
4. Page 5, Part 2 Interpretation, Division 2 Key concepts, section 10, (1) (b)
5. Page 5, Part 2 Interpretation, Division 2 Key concepts, Section 10, (3) (c)
6. Page 9, Part 3 Requirements for care of animals, Division 2, Section 20 (3)
7. Page 9, Part 3, Division 3 Section 22 ( to be clarified to DOGS NSW in writing that
this has been revoked)
8. Page 15, Part 4 Offences relating to animal cruelty, Division 4 Section 37 (1) (a)
9. Page 29, Part 7 Enforcement and compliance, Division 3, Section 66 (1) (f)
10. Pages 30, 31, 33, 34, 35, Part 7 Enforcement and compliance, Division 4, section 70,
Division 5 section 70, sections 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83 "THINGS" and
"SEIZED THINGS" require a clear definition
Division 5 section 70, sections 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83 "THINGS" and
"SEIZED THINGS" require a clear definition
11. Page 36, Division 6 General, section 85 (1) (a) (b) (c), (2), (3), (4)
12. Page 37, Part 7 Enforcement and compliance, Division 7 section 89 (1) (a)
13. Page 65, schedule 1 Restricted procedures "Dewclaw removal on a dog"
When writing to your local member let them know you are a member of their electorate, a voter and a dog owner/ exhibitor/ breeder; that you are not a radical, but a normal citizen enjoying your hobby.
The Draft Animal Welfare Bill 2022, as well as the supporting material, is available on the NSW DPI website:
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/animals-and-livestock/animal-welfare/animal-welfare-reform
A parliamentary committee will now review the Draft Animal Welfare Bill 2022 as part of the Inquiry into Animal Welfare Policy in NSW. The community is invited to review and provide feedback on the Draft Bill as part of the Inquiry process. Submissions close 28 February 2022 and can be made through the Parliament of NSW website.
Opinion: DOGS NSW warns Bill will cripple Dog Ownership
11-02-2022In this recent media release DOGS NSW President Lyn Brand explains why proposed legislation will have a devastating effect on the industry.
"Proposed legislation, with massive over-reach, threatens not just to keep strays off the streets but also to remove our pets from our homes or yards." says Lyn Brand.
To read the full media release please click here.
Let's get positive! Here are some Facts from Professor Claire Wade regarding the Animal Justice Party (Emma Hurst Puppy Farming) Bill
08-02-2022We would like to thank Professor Claire Wade for allowing DOGS NSW to reprint her professional and valued opinion regarding the Animal Justice Party Bill.
The following changes to companion animal breeding rules are proposed:
61ZF Proprietors of companion animal breeding businesses must not breed dogs
or cats in certain circumstances.
A proprietor of a companion animal breeding business must not breed from a female dog or cat in the following circumstances—
(a) more than twice,
(b) if a heritable defect is identified in a previous litter of the dog or cat,
(c) with a dog or cat that is related to the dog or cat by blood.
Maximum penalty—
(a) for a corporation—2,000 penalty units,
(b) for an individual—400 penalty units or imprisonment for 1 year, or both.
Response:
The animal welfare justifications for the proposed changes are absent or unclear.
There is no scientific support for the suggested changes.
Part (a): The rationale for the metric of two breedings is unclear or unjustified. There is no scientific evidence to suggest that negative welfare outcomes ensue from breeding an animal more than twice or even more than any particular number times if the animal is otherwise assessed as being in good health. There is no welfare or other justifiable reason why an animal assessed as fit by their veterinarian should not be bred.
Part (b): The definition of a heritable defect is absent or unclear. For Mendelian recessive conditions, simply breeding the animal with a partner from a different genetic background will minimize the chances of re-occurrence. Indeed, the imposition of such a requirement is far more likely to generate negative genetic outcomes from a population perspective by severely restricting the effective population size of the breeding population. This will do far more genetic harm than good. Most modern companion animal breeders actively participate in research to provide new genetic tests for Mendelian conditions where these do not already exist and actively apply genetic testing to minimize or eliminate the occurrence of Mendelian inherited defects in progeny.
For complex traits, such as orthopaedic traits or cancer, the proposed limit is unlikely to make any substantive impact on the occurrence of disorders in progeny.
Part (c): The definition of “related by blood” is unquantifiable. If this same requirement was imposed upon humans, then many cultures would be subjected to genocide.
Penalties:
The breaches would be impossible to prove and very severe. The legal battles that would ensue from attempting to enforce the breaches would place unnecessary stress on the court system and create serious mental health issues for the humans who love their animals. No part of the proposed Bill is either justifiable or desirable from any perspective, and particularly not from an animal welfare or animal genetic health perspective.
Professor Claire Wade
Chair Computational Biology and Animal Genetic
Part (b): The definition of a heritable defect is absent or unclear. For Mendelian recessive conditions, simply breeding the animal with a partner from a different genetic background will minimize the chances of re-occurrence. Indeed, the imposition of such a requirement is far more likely to generate negative genetic outcomes from a population perspective by severely restricting the effective population size of the breeding population. This will do far more genetic harm than good. Most modern companion animal breeders actively participate in research to provide new genetic tests for Mendelian conditions where these do not already exist and actively apply genetic testing to minimize or eliminate the occurrence of Mendelian inherited defects in progeny.
For complex traits, such as orthopaedic traits or cancer, the proposed limit is unlikely to make any substantive impact on the occurrence of disorders in progeny.
Part (c): The definition of “related by blood” is unquantifiable. If this same requirement was imposed upon humans, then many cultures would be subjected to genocide.
Penalties:
The breaches would be impossible to prove and very severe. The legal battles that would ensue from attempting to enforce the breaches would place unnecessary stress on the court system and create serious mental health issues for the humans who love their animals. No part of the proposed Bill is either justifiable or desirable from any perspective, and particularly not from an animal welfare or animal genetic health perspective.
Professor Claire Wade
Chair Computational Biology and Animal Genetic
University of Sydney
*PLEASE NOTE: Members are encouraged to circulate this information and to lobby your State members of Parliament regarding the proposed Animal Justice Party (Emma Hurst Puppy Farming Bill).
In addition there is a petition site CHANGE.ORG that members may like to use to have their puppy owners, and all who own dogs, sign, regarding the AJP Emma Hurst Puppy Farming Bill. Start your own petition and send to your State member.
In addition there is a petition site CHANGE.ORG that members may like to use to have their puppy owners, and all who own dogs, sign, regarding the AJP Emma Hurst Puppy Farming Bill. Start your own petition and send to your State member.
DOGS NSW Media Release in response to the Animal Justice Party ( Emma Hurst Puppy Farming Bill)
07-02-2022MEDIA RELEASE
Media Contact: DOGS NSW [email protected]
BREEDERS WARN THAT ANIMAL JUSTICE PARTY BILL WILL CRIPPLE DOG OWNERSHIP (Sydney, February 7, 2022)
Pet ownership, breeding, and the future of dog shows in New South Wales are all under threat from radical new laws proposed by the Animal Justice Party.
DOGS NSW, which is recognised by the NSW government as the peak purebred breeding body in the State, has warned that the AJP’s Companion Animals Amendment (Puppy Farms) Bill 1 would have a devastating effect on our way of life and the entire pet industry if enacted.
“This misguided, draconian Bill will decimate the breeding and exhibition of purebred dogs and cats, undermine our freedom to have pets, and have next to no effect on puppy farm operations, which we are absolutely against,” said Ms Lyn Brand, President of Dogs NSW, which registers 25,000 purebred dogs every year.
“We are astounded by the Animal Justice Party’s lack of insight. Their Bill would create huge incentives for unlicensed backyard operators that make it impossible to regulate breeding conditions and animal welfare. This badly flawed Bill has missed the mark – it will actually have the effect of being anti-animal, with destructive consequences for the professional breeders, owners and hobbyists represented by DOGS NSW.”
DOGS NSW, which is recognised by the NSW government as the peak purebred breeding body in the State, has warned that the AJP’s Companion Animals Amendment (Puppy Farms) Bill 1 would have a devastating effect on our way of life and the entire pet industry if enacted.
“This misguided, draconian Bill will decimate the breeding and exhibition of purebred dogs and cats, undermine our freedom to have pets, and have next to no effect on puppy farm operations, which we are absolutely against,” said Ms Lyn Brand, President of Dogs NSW, which registers 25,000 purebred dogs every year.
“We are astounded by the Animal Justice Party’s lack of insight. Their Bill would create huge incentives for unlicensed backyard operators that make it impossible to regulate breeding conditions and animal welfare. This badly flawed Bill has missed the mark – it will actually have the effect of being anti-animal, with destructive consequences for the professional breeders, owners and hobbyists represented by DOGS NSW.”
To read the full media release please click here.
FCI Podcast: How do behavioural problems develop?
01-02-2022Dog behavioural problems are among the leading reasons for dog abandonment. In general, it is not easy to live together with a dog suffering from serious behavioural issues.
But when can you call a behaviour problematic?
Is it genetics or something else?
What can you do to avoid them?
This episode of The FCI Podcast with Jessica Hekman gives a thorough insight into dog behavioural problems. Click here or on the image above to view.
DOGS AUSTRALIA - New Tricks for Old Dogs
13-12-2021The Australian National Kennel Council announced Dogs Australia as the new face for the ANKC today.
Check out the article which appeared in the Sunday Telegraph!
FCI Podcast: Separation Anxiety ~ The Modern Disease of Dogs
03-12-2021Separation anxiety is a widespread behavioural problem of dogs.
Why should it be taken seriously? What are the reasons behind it? What is the difference between separation anxiety and a bored dog?
How can one help? the dogs suffering from it? And how has the pandemic made the situation worse?
In this episode of The FCI Podcast, Malena DeMartini-Price – the foremost expert in separation anxiety in dogs – gives all the answers and provides a thorough insight into the world of dogs suffering from separation anxiety.
Please click here to view the podcast.
COMMENTS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
23-11-2021DOGS NSW Members are reminded and advised that comments made and published on Social Media may contravene the RNSWCC Articles of Association and, if so, may result in disciplinary action as set out in Article 18(a) & (b)(i) to (v), which reads as follows:-
Disciplining of Members
18.(a) A member shall strictly observe and act in conformity with and not otherwise than in accordance with the Articles and Regulations of RNSWCC.
(b)without limiting (a), a member must not engage in any conduct that could reasonably be considered to be:
- dishonest, malicious, vexatious, or scandalous or contrary to law,
- discreditable to the member concerned or any other member,
- prejudicial or injurious, or tending to prejudice or injure any person interested in canine affairs,
- prejudicial or injurious, or tending to prejudice or injure, the interests, image or standing of RNSWCC, or
- contrary to the spirit and intent of the articles, regulations, or any code, resolution, policy or direction of RNSWCC or any committee.
Use of Service NSW QR Code for DOGS NSW
26-10-2021Clubs are advised that when conducting an event at DOGS NSW Orchard Hills, that they are to use the Service NSW QR code for DOGS NSW and not their own QR code. This is imperative that we are using the same code in the event of a COVID case at the grounds. The DOGS NSW QR codes are placed around the grounds and you can also download a copy here.
Important Notice: Animal Justice Party - Companion Animals Amendment (Puppy Farms) Bill 2021
22-10-2021The Companion Animal Amendment (Puppy Farm) Bill, a Private members bill initially put forward by Emma Hurst of the Animal Justice Party and Alex Greenwich (Independent) was put forward for its second reading this week, but has been delayed for a month. This Amendment Bill, if enacted, has the potential to wipe us all out, while having minimal effect on puppy mill operations or production.
This is a serious attempt to remove Companion Animals from general society. By severely limiting the number of breeding bitches, or queens, any person can have (greater than 2 of either), you are automatically a commercial breeder with a maximum of 10, and a micro breeder if 2 or less. Any retained female puppies or kittens from the age of 8 weeks is added to your current total, even if you let it go at 4-6 months of age. Any bitches out on breeders contracts are also counted and the contracts can be cancelled.
All breeders must be licensed, payable annually, inspected annually, and all your animals can be removed if you are not registered and do breed.
Many of the measures are extremely draconian and the proposed fines for not complying are severe. A copy of the letter that DOGS NSW Media & Government Legislation Committee has put forward to the Government, as well as notes for the members and technical notes are attached below, and will also be placed on the DOGS NSW website. Please click here to view a copy of the Animal Justice Party's proposed amendment to the NSW Parliament.
It is vitally important that everyone drafts a letter (please make them individual letters, not rote letters!) against this proposed amendment with continual heavy representations to their local and state politicians. The expense of running the required new registrations, inspections, etc, is expected to be borne by the breeders registered, so the costs will be high for even the micro breeders. I cannot see that Councils will be at all happy about the increased work required to run any such schemes, however, I can see an increase in puppy mill activity as the demand for Companion Animals will still be there and we, as the visible breeders, will once again pay the price.
The end agenda by the Animal Justice Party is not to have Companion Animals. By placing so many restrictions, most breeders are going to say it is all too much and desex their animals. At worst, there may be animals euthanised or dumped.
We can fight this! The Amendment is not expected to pass at this time, but if we do not object strongly now, some of these points may still go forward next time!
The letter and the notes will give you ideas to develop letters to go forward, write letters against the Animal Justice Party! Click here to find your local member's email address.
Get involved and save our way of life and our freedoms !
This is a serious attempt to remove Companion Animals from general society. By severely limiting the number of breeding bitches, or queens, any person can have (greater than 2 of either), you are automatically a commercial breeder with a maximum of 10, and a micro breeder if 2 or less. Any retained female puppies or kittens from the age of 8 weeks is added to your current total, even if you let it go at 4-6 months of age. Any bitches out on breeders contracts are also counted and the contracts can be cancelled.
All breeders must be licensed, payable annually, inspected annually, and all your animals can be removed if you are not registered and do breed.
Many of the measures are extremely draconian and the proposed fines for not complying are severe. A copy of the letter that DOGS NSW Media & Government Legislation Committee has put forward to the Government, as well as notes for the members and technical notes are attached below, and will also be placed on the DOGS NSW website. Please click here to view a copy of the Animal Justice Party's proposed amendment to the NSW Parliament.
It is vitally important that everyone drafts a letter (please make them individual letters, not rote letters!) against this proposed amendment with continual heavy representations to their local and state politicians. The expense of running the required new registrations, inspections, etc, is expected to be borne by the breeders registered, so the costs will be high for even the micro breeders. I cannot see that Councils will be at all happy about the increased work required to run any such schemes, however, I can see an increase in puppy mill activity as the demand for Companion Animals will still be there and we, as the visible breeders, will once again pay the price.
The end agenda by the Animal Justice Party is not to have Companion Animals. By placing so many restrictions, most breeders are going to say it is all too much and desex their animals. At worst, there may be animals euthanised or dumped.
We can fight this! The Amendment is not expected to pass at this time, but if we do not object strongly now, some of these points may still go forward next time!
The letter and the notes will give you ideas to develop letters to go forward, write letters against the Animal Justice Party! Click here to find your local member's email address.
Get involved and save our way of life and our freedoms !
- Click here to view the DOGS NSW response to the AJP Bill
- Click here to view AJP Amendment Bill - Technical Notes
- Click here to view AJP - Notes for members
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