Designer dog breeding facility plans back on public exhibition
The designer dog breeding plan, which has been criticised by some and supported by others, is open for public submissions for a second time.
Coffs Harbour
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A divisive development application for a designer dog breeding facility at Moonee Beach is open for public submissions for a second time.
The DA has been placed on public exhibition until June 9, due to additional information being submitted to Coffs Harbour City Council.
Submissions made during the previous exhibition period, which took place over the festive period from December to January, will still however be considered as part of Council’s assessment of the application.
According to the court documents, the expanded facility would provide breeds including bord-doodles (border collie x poodle), groodles (golden retriever x poodle) and Aussie doodles (Australian shepherd x poodle).
It will have approximately 30 breeding dogs but they will mostly live off-site at ‘guardian homes’. As part of this, the dogs live as family pets however the breeder shares ownership for the first four years.
The dogs are mated off site at the guardian homes and would be moved to the facility to give birth. After the four years they are then desexed and ownership is fully transferred to their forever families, the DA documents explain.
The facility will operate according to Victorian Breeding Dog Standards, ensuring a vet will regularly attend to check on the care of the animals.
The application has proved to be a point of contention among members of the community as well as PETA who cited concerns in relation to commercial puppy-breeding and its consequences on rescue animals in need of adoption.
PETA previously launched a petition objecting to the proposal, garnering 11,800 signatures.
The Advocate has on the other hand received comments from community members in support of the proposal, who have stated that the dogs currently at the property appear happy, well cared for and are living in a quality environment - as opposed to the poor conditions that are seen among unethical and non-compliant ‘puppy factories’.
The NSW Government last year vowed to crack down on illegal puppy farmers by funding the launch of a statewide RSPCA task force. It came amid reports of puppies being sold at inflated prices due to the skyrocketing demand for companions, induced by the pandemic.
The RSPCA NSW’s Breeder Compliance Unit was hailed by CEO Steve Coleman as a win in the battle against the “dark side” of the animal breeding industry.
“This is a huge win for animal welfare, as well as for breeders across the state who love and look after their animals,” Mr Coleman said following the announcement.
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