When I hear “the public are responsible for the high euthanasia rates in pounds” I cringe. I have even heard people say they feel sorry for the ‘vets’ that are ‘forced’ by the ‘evil public’ to put pound animals to sleep! These are people in the “animal” movement, whether they are activists, educators or rescuers. It makes me think if ‘we’ are getting it wrong, what hope do we have of educating the public and changing the way people get their pets.

Firstly its just not true that pounds euthanise a high number of animals, and secondly what the hell is wrong with euthanasia anyway, thirdly what makes you think its always vets in pounds that are ‘putting the animals to sleep’? And finally I, as a member of the public, refuse to be held responsible for the poor policy and bad management of our pound system that disposes of healthy animals as if they were trash.

As a responsible pet owner I would like to think that when the time comes I am able to take my animals to my vet and in consultation make the decision to humanely end my pet’s suffering and put them to sleep - euthanasia! Am I a “bad person” or a member of the “evil public” brigade for thinking this way?

Pounds dont euthanise many animals at all, it’s a myth that is perpetuated by people using the language of those in power. The pound managers will tell you they euthanise all these animals because “we cant find homes for them” and its always the fault of the “bad public”, and most of them don’t lift a finger to even try and find the animals a home. And people actually believe them and so the status quo is accepted and never challenged and the cycle continues and the “evil public” are blamed and we all disengage and nothing is done, and so these people just keep repeating it over and over again, ramming it down out throats, thinking they are going to get through to the public that they have just labeled ‘evil’ sigh… exhausting isn’t it!

What would you say if I told you that pounds don’t euthanise they actually kill healthy animals, including puppies and kittens? What would you say if I told you that not all pounds have access to a vet? Would you believe me if I told you it was legal to kill these healthy animals by any other means that’s considered ‘humane’?

It is acceptable for Council rangers to shoot animals in pounds as long as they are shot inside a building, not in view of other animals and the shooter has to be a good shot because that terrified dog/puppy/cat/kitten must not move whilst taking aim and accidently get shot in the back or the leg because that would mean it wasn’t a humane death. Death by shooting must be instant so a good headshot is recommended when you attempt to shoot healthy pets in pounds. Think about it, is that how you picture euthanasia?

It took just 10 people to change the policy at Horsham

Residents back pound policy change

A group Wimmera residents say a decision by Horsham council to abandon the practice of shooting unclaimed pets collected by the pound is a good result.

The council voted last night to adopt the use of lethal injections.

The decision came after months of pressure from a group of Horsham residents advocating a change of policy.

One of those behind the push, Justin Ward, says up to 10 people worked to lobby the council.

“A couple of us, myself included, wrote letters in individually to begin with,” he said.

“But I think the subsequent work has been … a joint effort in providing structured questions to council and recommendations.”

Imagine if these 10 people now took it one step further and demanded the pound just stop the killing and started working towards rehoming these animals. Or imagine what 20 people could do!

There are more of us than them; we are part of the solution we can bring about change. But if we use the language of the few that are in power, our message is muddied and we have no hope of changing the way Australian’s get their pets.

I want Oscar’s Law

Welcome to Valley View Dog Rearing and Breeding Establishment, the experts in high quality Labradoodle, Schnoodle, Spoodle, Roodle and Maltese Poodle breeding. We are an Australian Government Registered Breeder with 20 years of experience breeding hypo-allergenic, non-shedding family companion dogs. Dog is man’s best friend…..As we offer world wide delivery, many of our puppies are now living happily interstate or overseas. Valley View Dog Breeders website

FAQ page - Q: Are you a registered breeder? A: Yes, we are registered with the Government. We are not “backyard breeders” and have many years experience breeding dogs. The requirements in Victoria for registered breeders are the strictest in Australia, and we exceed all requirements and are subject to regular inspections by our local Shire ranger.

With a few clicks of your mouse you can have a puppy delivered to your door. The consumer will believe the hype on the glossy website and will buy a puppy without even visiting the property to view the parents or the living conditions. But the truth is these are simply factory farmed puppies and the parents live in deplorable conditions.

Some dogs are housed in open tin sheds on cold concrete with no bedding at all

Some dogs are kept outside in cold dirt barren pens

And of course the puppies. We observed up to 50 puppies in a lonely cold tin shed awaiting to be shipped out interstate and overseas. Are you one of these people sitting at your computer ordering your puppy with a few clicks of the mouse ?

One thing Valley View got right on their website, they are registered with local Government and they are subject to regular inspections by the local Shire ranger, however they do not ‘exceed all requirements’ they are operating in violation to the mandatory code of practice.

So how effective is local Government in enforcing the code that is designed to protect the animals? Please feel free to write to this local Government and ask.

Our pets are being factory farmed. Local Government are the only authority under the current legislation that can enforce the code of practice and they are not doing their job. The pet industry is lying and manipulating the public, the puppy farmers are getting richer, the dogs are suffering. Their only hope is us. I want Oscars Law.

Dedicated to those that fight the good fight and never give up, no matter what, because you are the change people have been waiting for.

The battle has never been easy. Over the last 20 odd years I have witnessed good people burn out, suffer raging depression, give up in fits of despair “Its all to much, to hard and no one is listening”. Activists are a close knit community, we understand what each other is going through. Many times I have came home from a puppy factory and have found myself uncontrollably sobbing wondering what the hell I am going to do next to try and get these dogs some help, a vet, water, a blanket, freedom, a home. Its a terrible feeling of hopelessness that is always with you, that drives you to keep doing something, anything, because the dogs suffering on these factory farms is so intense and relentless how can you not try everything.

We have all collectively cried hundreds of tears and mourned those we couldn’t save. And then we pick each other up, we look after each other, and we do it all over again, because we know its worth it, the animals need us to bare witness and speak out. Whether you expose the horrid piggeries, fight to ban the battery cage, volunteer in a shelter, run a shelter, work at re-homing rescued pets, close circuses, fight jump racing, all of the above or simply try and educate, enlighten and spread the message on behalf of abused animals, you are all exposed to the battle. But remember this, YOU are the people who are leading the way and laying the foundations for change to occur.

The battle is fought on many fronts, sadly some battles are fought from within.

We are stalked on our forums and facebook pages by those that disagree with our opinions, our lack of opinions, our words, our lack of words, who knows, but they are there, always on stand by, lurking, ready to pounce the minute we post something they don’t like. Over the last few months I have witnessed a chosen few being publicly attacked and even threatened and intimidated for doing what ever they can to save animals.

We have a responsibility to lead the way, to educate and engage people who are all on their own journey and just want to help animals. If they don’t want to hear your message or just aren’t ready, move on the next person does. And for those of you that are being abused, intimidated and threatened, simple, hit the delete button.

We have good work to do. See you out there

I Want Oscars Law

The Department of Primary Industries released their “Council Bulletin” today for July 2010.

Under the heading “Operation of commercial dog and cat breeding establishments” we were disgusted to read

“After several media articles on allegedly poorly operated dog breeding establishments the Premier stated on 26 February 2010 that he was distressed over claims about the operation of rogue dog breeding establishments in Victoria. He stated his belief that the State has strong laws in place to protect animal welfare and that Councils together with the RSPCA are equipped with the appropriate powers to prosecute alleged breaches of the laws associated with the operation of breeding establishments”

Really Mr Brumby! Where are these strong laws and why haven’t they be enforced then?

Your strong laws have done nothing to protect these dogs! NO CHARGES LAID, NO DOGS SAVED, PUPPY FARMERS FREE TO KEEP BREEDING THE GUTS OUT OF THOUSANDS OF DOGS

And yet when we rescue a little dog we named “Oscar” we were arrested and the dog was taken back to the very person who abused and neglected him. The puppy farmer has never been charged even though the video evidence clearly demonstrates cruelty and neglect. Mr Brumby thousands of dogs are suffering right now and your strong laws are doing nothing to ease their suffering or provide the public with confidence that people who are cruel to animals will be dealt with by “strong laws”.

Stop trying to convince yourself that the laws are working because they are not and the public is sick to death of puppy factories, the suffering, the killing of healthy dogs in our pounds and now you are also trying to take away the ability of rescue groups to save dogs on death row.  SHAME ON YOU MR BRUMBY

DO SOMETHING USEFUL AND BRING IN OSCARS LAW

Whilst Moorabool Council, RSPCA, The Premier and Minister for Agriculture were all back slapping and celebrating how they shut down the Paxton puppy farm, we were following the Paxtons so we could find the dogs that they all failed to help.

It didn’t take us long for Les Paxton to lead us to his good friend and fellow puppy farmer Robert Adamo. Adamo has a few things in common with his mate Les Paxton, he is well known to authorities and he has also been operating an illegal puppy farm for many years.

We witnessed Les Paxton arrive almost daily at Adamo’s. The barking from Adamo’s property increased dramaticaly after Paxton removed the dogs from his property, indicating more dogs were at Adamo’s. On the 25th and 26th March 2010 we watched Les and Robert unload 44 gallon drums from the back of Les’s ute, these drums contained dead animals. We watched as they were thrown in a large pit near the dam. Approximately 2AM on the 26th March Adamo started an enormous fire which lit up the entire paddock, the bodies were burning. Adamo later stated they were dead pigs, they didn’t look like pigs to us. During the investigation we observed the animals living in very cramped filthy conditions alongside each other, pig pens next to dog pens, next to sheep, alpaca’s and ponies. Most of the breeding dogs are hidden inside sheds with their puppies. On one occasion we witnessed 4 dogs living in a caged trailer in the middle of the paddock. On another occasion a dead dog was tossed into the pig pen only to be devoured by hungry pigs. At night Adamo would turn on an elaborate spotlight system that lit up the entire property like it was daylight. He knew we were watching. It truly is a horrible place for animals and operates illegally with the full knowledge of the authorities.

Who is Robert Adamo?

December 5th 2007 RSPCA along with the Police and Department of Sustainability & Environment (DSE), raided Robert Adamo’s property and seized four macaque monkeys and a boa constrictor. In court the DSE prosecutor stated there were other animals on the property including emu’s, alpaca’s, dogs, cats, birds and other creatures. Robert Adamo was fined $2000 plus costs.

November 7th 2009 we get an insight into they types of dogs Adamo is selling to the public and he states he “didn’t handle his pups preferring to let the mothers rear the babies and let the new owners bond with their pets”. Unsocialised puppies.

November 14th 2009 the RSPCA once again “investigate” Robert Adamo after receiving complaints about the way he treats his animals. RSPCA Inspector Tim Pilgrim stated “Its a high priority of the RSPCA to raise public awareness about puppy mills”. Great Tim, love your work. Geelong Council spokesperson John Merlo stated Council were putting together a case to make Adamo register his puppy farm and that there were currently 52 registered dogs on the property.

So now 7 months later and 3 years after Adamo’s property was first raided you would think that was plenty of time for Council to do something ?

Apparently not. We have been continually lodging complaints with Geelong Council since we followed Les Paxton to this property in March this year. We have provided Geelong Council with evidence that Adamo is advertising puppies for sale on line and in the Traders Rag newspaper. One week there was $17,000 worth of puppies for sale. All Geelong Council will say is “we are investigating”.

The Paxton and Adamo dogs need your help. Please email Geelong Council and ask them to take action.

mayor@geelongcity.vic.gov.au

tlindsay@geelongcity.vic.gov.au

1. Demand they prosecute Robert Adamo under the Domestic Animals Act for operating an illegal puppy farm.

2. Tell them they have had 3 years to investigate and its time they took action.

Taken from Department of Primary Industries website

If the breeding establishment is unregistered the Council can prosecute the proprietor for operating an unregistered breeding establishment, this offence carries a penalty of 10 penalty units in the Magistrate Court. Also, if the proprietor sells an animal from an unregistered premise this is also an offence which carries a penalty of 10 penalty units in court. If the breeding establishment proprietor is not operating their business in accord with the mandatory Code of Practice, Council officers can issue infringements or file charges in the Magistrates Court. Each breach carries a penalty of up to 10 penalty units in court.

We need Oscar’s Law Mr Brumby, your legislation isn’t working and companion animals deserve better. The Paxton puppy farm wasn’t shut down, it just moved down the road, so you can stop celebrating now and start doing something for our pets. What if it was your dog Mr Brumby?