The owner of a Little River puppy farm faces a potential fine of up to $24,000 and may be banned from owning dogs for 10 years after being charged by Wyndham council last week.
The charges follow a joint raid by council and police on October 14 when nine breeding dogs and seven puppies were seized.
The owner of the property had previously been issued with a notice to cease operating as a domestic animal business.
Without a permit, a maximum of four adult dogs, older than 12 weeks old, are permitted to be kept on a rural property.
Information gathered from the raid led council officers to a Hoppers Crossing property where a further two breeding dogs were seized on October 16.
The owner, Anthony Sammut, has been charged with 14 offences, including failing to provide proper and sufficient water, failing to provide veterinary attention, operating a domestic animal business without a permit, and failing to register all animals.
The council and the RSPCA had previously attended the Little River farm twice in the past year after reports that up to 50 dogs were living in squalid conditions, denied adequate shelter and veterinary care.
Dogs were allegedly living in cages inside a corrugated iron compound with cement floors covered in excrement, while bowls
were overflowing with mouldy food and drinking water provided for the dogs had turned green.
Wyndham mayor Bob Fairclough thanked animal activist group Oscar’s Law for the information it provided to the council and warned the illegal puppy trade would not be tolerated in the city.
“The farming of puppies in this manner is abhorrent and we will do everything within our power to shut down operations,” he said.
“In this instance, the issuing of a previous notice meant officers were able to act swiftly once we received notification that activity was occurring without a permit.
“Officers must act within the bounds of the law and the process previously put in place meant that this time, we were able to seize the dogs immediately,” Cr Fairclough said
He said the council will also be seeking that the owner be banned from owning a dog for the maximum period of 10 years.
– with The Age
