Macarthur Pets firebombed and threatened amid plans for a 50-dog breeding facility

A Sydney pet shop has seen one of its vans firebombed amid death threats and menacing calls to staff over plans for a 50-dog breeding facility one MP dubbed a ‘puppy farm’.

A southwest Sydney pet shop has seen one of its vans firebombed amid controversy over plans for a massive dog breeding facility being dubbed by activists as a ‘puppy farm’.

Narellan firefighters received a call from a passing witness about a van with Macarthur Pets in flames while parked on Central Hills Dr in Gregory Hills around 2am on Saturday.

Macarthur Pets van allegedly firebombed on Central Hills Dr, Gregory Hills. Picture: Macarthur Pets

Macarthur Pets managing director Fred Deveny said they weren't made aware of the incident until the store manager discovered the van the next morning when arriving to open the store.

Police are investigating the incident and are “treating the fire as suspicious”.

“The staff were understandably shaken by these incidents … for many of them, this is their part time job while they are at school or studying,” Mr. Deveny said.

“It's absolutely not fair that they are coping with this.”

Macarthur Pets Managing Director Fred Deveny. Picture: Macarthur Pets

CCTV behind Macarthur Pets', shows a hooded figure making multiple trips back and forth from the van before throwing an unidentified item which sparked an explosion.

Mr Deveny said the timing of the alleged firebombing comes off the back of a week of anonymous phone calls, death threats and online abuse targeting him and his staff in relation to the development plans lines.

Social media messages sent to Macarthur Pets. Picture: Macarthur Pets

Social media messages sent to Macarthur Pets. Picture: Macarthur Pets

“You can't help but wonder if it's related and someone is taking things way too far – you worry what might come next,” he said.

The alleged firebombing comes just weeks after a development application was lodged for a 50-dog breeding facility in Oakdale at Wollondilly Council, with plans for the facility to work in conjunction with Macarthur Pets.

But Mr Deveny said the plan was not to build a puppy farm.

“It may seem strange to say, but I share the same concerns as those who are vocal against the DA,” he said. “I support adoption and rehoming and we work with organisations such as the Animal Welfare League and Greyhounds as Pets to promote animal adoption.

“I also think puppy mills and unethical backyard breeders have no place in our industry.

“If people take the time to read the DA, and not just go off misleading social posts with horrible images that have nothing to do with us, they will be able to see what I mean.”

Macarthur Pets CCTV showing van allegedly firebombed near loading dock. Picture: Macarthur Pets

Macarthur Pets van allegedly firebombed on Central Hills Dr, Gregory Hills. Picture: Macarthur Pets

Animal Justice Party MLC Emma Hurst has spoken out against the plan along with other animal rights activists and local residents, telling The Daily Telegraph the animal protection movement “has always been very peaceful”.

“Obviously there are many in the community who are highly distressed about the application by Macarthur Pets to build a new puppy farm in Sydney, there is currently no evidence to suggest that is in any way linked to the current incident,” she said. “It is inappropriate for the owner to be pointing a finger at the local community who want to see dogs protected when they should be allowing the police to conduct their own investigations.
“The Animal Justice Party is opposed to all forms of violence.”

Animal Justice Party NSW MP Emma Hurst (left) Picture: Emma Hurst

Ms Hurst said pet shops “often operate as smokescreens for puppy farms”.

The plans for the premises outline 15 main kennels to be occupied by up to three dogs at a time, eight mating kennels and 18 internal kennels for mothers to give birth to puppies and for grooming and inspection purposes.

While the breeding facility is slated to house up to 50 dogs, many have pointed out that this number is likely not including puppies.

Mr Deveny failed to clarify whether or not puppies were being counted in the 50 dog cap, and instead stated that there isn't a breeding cap currently set under NSW legislation.

He also stated that the facility will be prohibited from customer access in order to maintain the safety and well-being of staff and the dogs on site.