There are some matters that are of such a magnitude that they become crucially important if we are to try to claim we live in a civil society.

These are matters where most would agree it is essential for a united front from our politicians, and as such we expect a bipartisan approach on these matters.

One such issue is animal cruelty.

Whether it be the willful mistreatment of an animal, or the callous neglect of animals left to suffer in appalling conditions, we live in a society that is rapidly changing it’s attitudes towards the mistreatment of animals. That attitude shift is altering the lifestyles and buying behavior of hundreds of thousands of people all over the country, and I’m not just talking about the vegetarians and vegans. Take a walk around your local Coles and see the free-range eggs, the RSPCA approved chicken, hormone free beef and all sorts of other relatively recent changes to products on our supermarket shelves.

In NSW the Labor Party has blazed the trail for others to follow releasing what is arguably the most comprehensive animal welfare policy in the country during the last state election campaign. Labors policy is certainly the most comprehensive of the leading political parties and last week that policy was tabled in parliament.

One of the issues that is covered in detail in Labors policy is the deplorable practice of breeding dogs in what are known as Puppy Factories. These are properties where female dogs are used as breeding machines and housed in conditions that make the isolation cell in an Iraqi prison seem like the honeymoon suite at the Hilton.

Freezing conditions, concrete floor, urine soaked bedding, water that borders on septic, and living on scraps of rubbish masquerading as food. In addition many of these animals endure these conditions whilst suffering with gaping wounds from fights or beatings, or diseases left completely untreated.

The only thing scarcer than compassion in a puppy factory is the sight of a vet.

Recently in NSW Fairfax have been running series of articles that detail some raids on puppy factories in the states north following the exhaustive work of advocate organization Oscar’s Law who have been at the forefront of the battle against puppy factories since 2010. Oscar’s Law founder Debra Tranter however has been fighting the good fight on behalf of the dogs since 1993.

This series of articles has led the NSW Baird Government to announce a Parliamentary Inquiry into the abhorrent practice. A practice that tries to pass itself off as some sort of legitimate industry despite that fact that most operators pay no taxes while also collecting welfare.

Added into the mix in the NSW Upper House we now have the first elected MP for the Animal Justice Party in Mark Pearson.

Pearson has a long history in animal welfare and is extremely well-respected in the industry inside and outside of NSW. Pearson is also in the fortunate position of being someone who the Baird government may just need the support of to ensure passage of their legislation.

Pearson is to oversee the inquiry after being appointed to the select committee by the Baird government.

Chairing the inquiry for Coalition is Nationals MP Adam Marshall.

Marshall is the State Member Northern Tablelands region and has taken an active interest in puppy factories, particularly given recently there have been several horrendous cases recently uncovered in his electorate.

With the NSW government working together with the Animal Justice Party and hopefully putting politics aside to work alongside the Labor Party it is hopeful that positive legislation can be put forward at the inquiries end. Legislation that will hopefully see an end to this cruel and brutal practice in NSW at long last. Legislation that can also allow consumers to be certain that their purchase of a beloved pet has come from a reputable and humane source.

Meanwhile in Victoria, where Labor are currently working on legislation, one local council gave the public a fine example of why change is so desperately needed.

In Wyndham Magistrates Court on Monday, repeat offending puppy factory owner Anthony Sammut was once again before the magistrate with members of his family there to support both him and his behavior.

Sammut was handed down a fine of $5,000 after pleading guilty to operating an unregistered puppy farm.

Protestors at the court were devastated at the outcome, particularly given advocate organization Oscar’s Law had spent nearly double that amount on vet bills treating dogs with hideous injuries that had required rescuing from the crime scene/puppy factory.

Following the court matter, which had been delayed by Wyndham Councils lawyer rocking up approximately an hour late, and after Sammut had fled the court with the aid of police protection, concerned members of the public, many of them local ratepayers, walked in procession to council to seek comment and reassurance from Wyndham Council CEO Kerry Thompson. Their walk however was in vain, with nobody from council prepared to make comment or front up to address the public.

Later however Thompson released a statement via the council Facebook page stating in part;

“Our goal in this matter was to see this individual banned from operating a puppy farm and we are pleased that the 5 year ban was accepted by the Court,” she said.

“We are disappointed however with the fine issued by the Magistrate, as $5000 is not close enough to the maximum $24,000 penalty that could have been imposed.”

In reality however what was truly disappointing was the councils handling of the entire situation.

Council initially denied doing a deal with Sammut only to have to issue an apology a week later for misleading residents and admitting a deal had been done. That deal was to drop all of the 13 animal cruelty charges in order to obtain a guilty plea for operating an illegal business. The prolonged cruelty these unfortunate creatures endured is unimaginable, however council shrugged this off for a petty fine on a minor charge.

This is like doing a deal with Martin Bryant so he pleads guilty to use of an unlicensed firearm.

Council also showed their utter contempt for their own residents in dropping cruelty charges given it was ratepayers who footed the bill for some of the vet costs.

Thompson went on to say;

“I would like to congratulate the Council staff who worked tirelessly to see this matter resolved – their work has once again reaffirmed Wyndham Council’s commitment to ridding our city of this type of operation and prosecuting those who inhumanely treat animals.”

If this was an example of tireless work then I’d hate to see council on a slow day.

As the magistrate pointed out Sammut was fined for similar offences over a decade ago. Add to that, given the site has allegedly been operating for approximately 15 years, was reported to council in 2013, and was exposed by Fairfax last year, and it’s safe to say “tireless” is not a word I’d use to describe councils efforts.

In fact the only reason this puppy factory/crime scene has been shut down is due to the tireless work of Oscar’s Law who have sought to shut this abhorrent site down.

If you wish to support the tireless efforts of Oscar’s Law and live in Sydney, why not take part in the Charity Colour Run on Saturday night June 6th in the Domain.

If you live in Wyndham council’s shire and want a council that will stand up against the mistreatment of animals the Animal Justice Party has announced it will have candidates standing in the council elections next year.

In the meantime, lets hope our politicians can work together to stamp out this inhumane practice.

 

 

 

 

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