Puppy breeders and owners in New South Wales could face massive fines exceeding $110,000 after new laws come into effect next month.
The state government is cracking down on illegal backyard breeding and puppy farming, including a strict cap on the number of litters a dog can have over its lifetime, from December 1.
The tougher laws aim to make it easier for families looking to buy a new puppy to find an “ethical and accountable breeder”, the NSW government said.
This fresh legislation is captured under the NSW Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment (Puppy Farming) Act 2024.
Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming law changes. You’ll need a new identification number.
The first change will require all NSW puppy breeders to have something called a Breeder Identification Number (BIN). A BIN is given free of charge when breeders create a profile on the NSW Pet Registry.
The government has introduced identification numbers to assist buyers in finding an ethical breeder.
There are exceptions to this rule – including rehoming organisations caring for a surrendered pregnant dog and farmers breeding working dogs that will remain on their land.
More transparency in puppy ads Breeders advertising the sale or transfer of dogs will also be required to include key identifying information. This includes a BIN, the dog’s microchip details or a rehoming organisation number if the puppy is born on or after December 1, 2025.
Cap on breeding
One of the biggest changes will be a newly-introduced cap on how many litters a female dog can birth over its lifetime. There will be a cap of five litters per dog – or three by caesarean.
New breeders will also be required to keep 20 or less non-desexed female dogs over the age of six months on the premises. This law comes into effect a little earlier on November 21.
Finally, there will also be a breeder-to-puppy ratio rule. The law required breeders to have one staff member to every 20 dogs at a licensed premise.
Tougher penalties for illegal breeding
The stricter laws come with tougher fines for breeders who don’t comply. The NSW government can impose a maximum $110,000 penalty for individuals who keep more than 20 female dogs on the premises without an exemption and $550,000 for corporations.
The same fine applies to exceeding the lifetime breeding limit for a female dog. Not having a BIN could result in a $11,000 fine, while advertising a pet for sale without the necessary information can incur a $16,500 fine.
Meanwhile, not complying with the staff-to-dog ratio can result in a $44,000 fine for individuals or $220,000 for corporations. Individuals could also face prison time if the laws are broken.
Minister for Agriculture, Regional and Western NSW Tara Moriarty said the laws will “weed out” the bad actors in the breeding industry.
“These law changes will ensure breeders are held accountable and those in animal welfare law enforcement are given the support they need,” Moriarty said.
“We’ve already banned puppy farms and prevented people convicted of animal cruelty offences from keeping and breeding animals.
“We will continue to take a strong stance on animal welfare.”
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