Dogs rescued from an illegal puppy farm oin Little River were diseased and injured, vet reports show.
Six German shepherds were surrendered to Wyndham Council after authorities investigated conditions at an unlicensed puppy farm in Little River.
It follows revelations last month that dozens of dogs were kept in squalid conditions and that the farm continued to operate for almost a year after being reported.
Veterinary reports seen by The Age show four dogs had ailments, including hip dysplasia, a painful and chronic foot condition, and ear damage that included severe scarring and evidence of ‘‘trimming’’. One dog is due to undergo surgery this week to remove a tumour.
Animal welfare group Oscar’s Law, which conducted a four-week investigation into the puppy farm that prompted authorities to act, has placed the dogs in foster care.
‘‘Physically, they’re not fit for breeding,’’ founder Debra Tranter said. ‘‘Psychologically, they’ve all got behavioural issues because they’ve been kept in a shed their whole life. They’re all tentative and frightened.’’
Ms Tranter said one dog recently had a litter of puppies, despite having major hip problems. ‘‘She’s very lame and the [left] leg was significantly shorter than the other, so it’s obvious something was very wrong with her,’’ she said.
‘‘The vet thinks the male dog has splayed feet because he’s lived his life on urine-soaked concrete and all the pads on his feet are swollen and infected and oozing pus. And the dog with the ear problems recently had surgery to put a new ear hole lower down her neck because she had no ear canal left.’’
Oscar’s Law said its investigation found up to 50 dogs were rotated through the puppy farm over a month and forced to live in ‘‘horrific’’ conditions. Photos show dogs in cages behind a corrugated iron compound, pens covered in excrement, rotting breeding boxes, bowls overflowing with mouldy food, and green drinking water.
Owner Anthony Sammut accused Oscar’s Law of lying, saying the dogs were never neglected.
‘‘It’s all fricken’ lies,’’ he said. ‘‘They say there is no bloody shelter, [but] half the kennels are enclosed. The kennel is bloody fivemetres by six metres. It’s concrete … it’s got a box where they sleep. What do they want?’’
The RSPCA said the property did not appear to meet the standards of a breeding facility, but that no violations under animal cruelty laws had been identified. It did find minor health problems.
Authorities attended the puppy farm last year after receiving a tip-off, but it has continued to operate, with puppies advertised online this year as being of ‘‘show quality’’.
The RSPCA and council officers attended again in May. Despite the council initially confirming it was investigating the property for ‘‘not having the appropriate permits … and failing to comply with the required code of practice’’, last month it said the property had ‘‘fully complied’’ with regulations.
The council has refused to say how it complied or whether further action would be taken. It said it would continue to monitor the property. It is believed that all but four dogs have been removed.
Mr Sammut has repeatedly denied running a puppy farm.
Oscar’s Law founder Debra Tranter. Photo: Scott McNaughton
