Puppy farming law change war goes on

WA Nationals’ deputy leader Shane Love says WA Local Government Minister David Templeman is like a “dog without a bone” after local governments turned their back on proposed puppy farming legislation. Under the new laws, local governments would need to process dog breeder approval applications. These are one-off applications allowing a person to own unsterilised dogs which do not require renewal. Mr Love said the Western Australian Local Government Association had asked the minister to withdraw the puppy farming Bill or remove any reference to local government, since the sector did not support the Bill until it had further discussion. “It will fall on the State’s 138 local governments to administer the puppy farming legislation, but information regarding fees and charges is sorely lacking,” he said. “This is yet another example of ratepayers footing the bill for a State government initiative.” Mr Love said local governments’ concerns centred on the burden of administration. “I understand that some cost modelling had been carried out, but this information has not been released,” he said. Mr Templeman said his Government had consulted extensively with the community and local governments. “The Government also formed a working group made up of key stakeholders,” he said. “In addition, 21 local governments were consulted in detail about how they could potentially be impacted.” Mr Templeman said he received more than 4700 responses during a public consultation period, which showed the community overwhelmingly welcomed the proposed changes. For example, he said 83 per cent wanted a centralised registration system and 77 per cent supported the introduction of mandatory dog sterilisation. “Consideration has been given to all concerns raised during consultation, and many of these have been addressed in the legislation,” he said. “Local governments will face very few additional obligations as a result of the proposed changes.” Mr Templeman said the centralised registration system would be paid for and maintained by the WA Government. “It will simplify the process for consumers and local governments,” he said Mr Love disagreed. “Groups have been consulted, but their concerns have been totally ignored,” he said. “In reality the consultation has been a dog’s breakfast.”