The McGowan Government has today released the draft Standards and Guidelines for the Health and Welfare of Dogs for a two-month public consultation period.
The standards and guidelines support the Government's Stop Puppy Farming initiative, and set out the minimum standards that owners and people in charge of dogs must follow to ensure the health and welfare of dogs kept in Western Australia.
The document also includes Mandatory Standards for Dog Breeding, which establish minimum requirements for the health and welfare of dogs used for breeding, and for their puppies.
Staff from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, RSPCA WA, the Australian Veterinary Association, the Murdoch University School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, and Dogs West have worked diligently and collaboratively on the standards and guidelines for more than a year.
In developing the document, the writing group worked to ensure the standards and guidelines reflect current science and contemporary attitudes about the humane treatment of dogs.
For more information and to find out how you can provide feedback, visit http://www.agric.wa.gov.au
As stated by Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
"The draft Standards and Guidelines for the Health and Welfare of Dogs is a comprehensive, thoroughly researched document that continues the McGowan Government's commitment to improving the welfare of all animals.
"Dogs, as both companion and working animals, hold an important place in the lives of many Western Australians, and we anticipate significant community interest during the consultation process.
"We have already received feedback from key stakeholders outside of the writing group and, considering the variety of members they represent, the response has been very positive.
"I encourage anyone with an interest in the health and welfare of dogs to make their views known and have input into this significant piece of work."
As stated by Local Government Minister David Templeman:
"Stopping Puppy Farming was a key McGowan Government election commitment and I am pleased to see this next step in the process out for consultation.
"We received more than 4,700 submissions to our proposed reforms, which received overwhelming support.
"I look forward to the outcome of this consultation, which will feed into the overall legislative process to stop puppy farming in WA."
