From today, the Palaszczuk Government’s new puppy farm laws come into effect.
Anyone who breeds a dog either commercially or privately will need to go to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) website and complete a breeder registration form.
The owner will get a supply number which stays with the dog for its life, so that any time it is sold or given away that supply number is given to its new owners. The supply number must also be displayed with any advertisement of puppies.
The new rules are due to the Protecting Puppies legislation, which comes into force today and will apply to all dogs born on or after 26 May 2017, whose details will be held on the Queensland Dog Breeder Register.
The new laws will apply to regular and occasional breeders (including backyard litters) – with the specific exceptions for some working dogs.
Registering for a supply number is free. Breeders will need to log their details on the new Queensland Dog Breeder Register within 28 days of their puppies being born.
Anyone with a dog that has a litter after midnight tonight should visit www.qdbr.daf.qld.gov.au or call 13 25 23 to register, even if it is an accidental litter and they intend to give the dogs away.
The new rules;
- Those selling and supplying dogs must have a valid breeder’s number attached to the animal
- That number must be displayed alongside the dog being offered for sale
- Anyone who breeds then wants to sell, give away, advertise puppies or dogs must register
- Dogs and cats must be fitted with a microchip linked to up-to-date contact details
- Dogs and puppies can still be surrendered to shelters without having to register
The penalties;
- Failing to register as a dog breeder (maximum penalty – $6,095)
- Not updating changes to registration details(maximum penalty – $2,438)
- Not micro-chipping a dog (maximum penalty – $2,438)
- Not providing a valid supply number when supplying or advertising a dog (maximum penalty – $6,095)