RSPCA swoops on pup farms

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RSPCA swoops on pup farms: Rivergum and Woodpark

The RSPCA has investigated two puppy farms named in a story in the Sunday Telegraph, finding breaches in the industry code of practice.

The inspections of Woodpark and Rivergum breeders in Barham in the Riverina, along with another backyard breeder in the area, followed a May 30 article revealing the first two farms had been selling to big pet store chains.

A golden retriever puppy, which had been bred at Woodpark and sold at a Brisbane pet shop, was later found to have double hip dysplacia and kidney problems, the types of genetic defects associated with large-scale breeding operations.

The RSPCA spent several days at four properties owned by the three breeders last week. Two dogs were put down.

RSPCA chief inspector David O'Shannessy said breaches of the Breeding of Dogs and Cats Code of Practice had been identified. He could not be more specific as the matters could become evidence in a criminal case. The properties will be inspected again in four weeks.

An Animal Liberation spokeswoman said puppy farms bred dogs for quantity, not quality so genetic defects were common.

Woodpark owner Kim McCarrey said that the dog with hip dysplacia and kidney problems had been a one off case and that they no longer dealt with pet stores.

Reference: Sunday Telegraph 20 June 2010