A PUSH to end puppy farming across the state has launched following a recent raid of an intensive breeding facility in Wagga.
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Drafted legislation is set to be put to Parliament with signatory support from the community through the Animal Justice Party.
While animal welfare has driven the push to see meaningful action, a Wagga breeder also said it was an opportunity to discuss reasonable restrictions for legitimate businesses.
The RSPCA raided a Wagga property in mid September, responding to allegations of animal cruelty related to breeding.
While no further details were released due to the ongoing investigation, the incident sparked outrage amid animal rights groups and highlighted the need for reform.
Wagga woman Lyndy Morris, who is a registered, ethical dog breeder, said welfare of the animals needed to come first.
"It's absolutely paramount that those animals get everything they possibly need to have the best life possible," she said.
"Puppy farms tend to have sheds full of dogs with no space, no care, and that is just unacceptable."
However, Ms Morris hoped that by eliminating puppy farms, new restrictions would not put unnecessary expectations on legitimate breeders.
"It can be a fine line with these issues, because it often needs to be considered on a case by case basis," she said.
"For instance, many breeders are doing a fantastic job with dogs and puppies living in their home, welping the animals in their lounge room, and those animals are loved and healthy and treated beautifully.
"But then, we've seen in the past, that restrictions to force more responsible breeding can include things like mandatory concrete runs or cages, which isn't always best for the animals and can put small breeders out of business."
The most important aspect to consider for breeding animals was having a clean, safe environment, and the opportunity to socialise the dogs and have human contact, according to Ms Morris.
"Just remember too when you're looking for a puppy to do your research, look online, contact organisations like Dogs NSW and find out where you can find responsible breeders doing the right thing," she said.
In other news:
After other states like Victoria moved to reduce the frequency of puppy farming, Animals Justice Party MP Emma Hurst feared that illegitimate breeders were being pushed into NSW.
Ms Hurst is currently drafting legislation to ban puppy farming in NSW, and said that as long as the industry remains legal in NSW, incidents like that which occurred in Wagga recently will only become more common.
"It's clear from horrific incidents like this that our weak laws in NSW are failing these dogs, and the NSW community is demanding action," she said.
"The people of NSW will never accept the industrialised 'factory farming' of puppies for the pet trade - especially while thousands of healthy, loving dogs are being killed in pounds who would make wonderful companion animals."
"It's time puppies received the protection they deserve."