Puppy farm dogs 'had been seized before': RSPCA

UPDATE: Disturbing allegations dead puppies were fed to emaciated dogs tethered to trees in direct sunlight are being investigated.

UPDATE: Disturbing allegations dead puppies were fed to emaciated dogs tethered to trees in direct sunlight are being investigated by the RSPCA.

The animal welfare group on Monday seized 81 dogs and 10 cats from the remote property at Glenarbon, with the property owner arrested and charged on other matters.

The illegal puppy farm operation was only discovered when Goondiwindi detectives executed a search warrant on the land.

A number of carcasses were found amid a network of dog chains tethering weak, dehydrated and starving dogs whose ribs protruded from their bodies. They were staked in the sun.

RSPCA inspector Daniel Young said the animals' prospects were good, and was confident they could be nursed back to health.

He said the RSPCA had seized some of the same dogs in 2015 when the owner, a 40-year-old man, was issued a welfare direction after an investigation into suspected illegal ear cropping.

Mr Young defended the RSPCA's position at the time when the man was living at Willowbank.

"What we need to understand, the dogs' current condition is not the condition they were in in 2015," he said.

"This is alarming, the deterioration in their condition.

"The dogs that were seized in 2015 weren't due to poor health - they were all in extremely good condition.

"We seized them because there were animals with cropped ears, which we believe was done illegally."

The man was never charged, instead being issued a welfare direction and the animals were returned.

Mr Young said the man would be investigated for welfare direction breaches and the Animal Protection Act.

PUPPY FARM: Some of the dogs seized from a Glenarbon property where an alleged puppy farm was uncovered on Monday. Picture: RSPCA Queensland

If found guilty, he faces up to a year in prison or $36,000 in fines for each animal, Mr Young said.

The dog breeds were mainly American Staffordshire bull terriers, Australian and American bulldogs, French bulldogs and pitbulls on the property.

Detective Search Brett Richards urged anyone who may have bought a dog from the breeder in the area to contact police.

"If anyone has bought a dog or had dealings with the breeder, we ask them to come forward so they can help us further our investigations," he said.

Contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
 

10AM: Disturbing details have emerged about an alleged puppy farm on a rural property, with the RSPCA investigating whether dead puppies were fed to other dogs.

RSPCA officers discovered a large number of dogs, mainly American Staffordshire bull terriers, Australian and American bulldogs, French bulldogs and pitbulls on the property.

A total of 81 dogs and puppies were seized, along with 10 cats.

RSCPA Queensland chief inspector Daniel Young said the conditions the animals were kept in were "very disturbing".

"There was inadequate shelter and water and a number of the dogs were carrying injuries that needed urgent veterinary treatment," Mr Young said.

"There was one dog that was sharing a small space with a dog that was deceased and there were the remains of a number of corpses lying near dogs that were tethered.

"We'd like to sincerely thank Queensland Police for their invaluable assistance in this operation."

RSPCA spokesman Michael Beatty confirmed investigators were also probing whether puppies had been fed to other dogs on the puppy farm.

He said that was a "possibility" and one line of inquiry being carried out after the Glenarbon property was raided about 7.30am Monday.

A search warrant was executed at the Bosjnack Rd property where police allegedly located more than 100 dogs and a number of cats.

Puppy farm

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EARLIER: An illegal puppy farm with more than 100 dogs has been uncovered on a rural property, police allege.

Goondiwindi Criminal Investigation Branch and RSPCA investigators yesterday served a search warrant on a Bosjnack Rd property at Glenarbon where an alleged puppy farm was located.

Officers discovered more than 100 dogs and a number of cats at the property, left to live without adequate shelter or water.

Police contacted the RSPCA and the animals were seized due to concerns for their welfare.

Two dogs were rushed to the RSPCA's Animal Welfare Campus at Wacol for immediate treatment.

Detectives said a man, 40, was assisting police and the RSPCA with inquiries, and he is due to appear in the Goondiwindi Magistrates Court on other matters in coming weeks.

Police would like to speak to anyone who may have purchased an animal from the property in the past.

Investigations are continuing, and anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as Puppy farm dogs 'had been seized before': RSPCA