News and updates
FCI Podcast: The Behavioural Development of Puppies
13-05-2022The early weeks in puppies’ lives are critical for various reasons; one of them is behavioural development. 
Improper socialisation leads to many behavioural problems, triggering further animal welfare matters, such as dog abandonment, abuse, and even euthanasia.
Why is this period so vital?
What is happening during this time?
And what may be the consequences when a litter of puppies is not treated properly?
In this episode, Zazie Todd—the award-winning author of the book ‘Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy’ and the creator of the Companion Animal Psychology blog and The Pawsitive Post newsletter—gives us a thorough insight into this critical period for dogs.
Click here to view the podcast.
Attention: Club / Show Secretaries - Complaints received at a Show
13-05-2022Club/Show Secretaries please note that when a complaint is received at a show, the complainant is required to complete the DOGS NSW Complaint Lodgement Form.
The form should be completed in accordance with DOGS NSW Complaints Procedure, which accompanies the complaint form referred to above, and MUST specifically state the Regulation they allege the member is in breach of. The complaint should also be accompanied by the DOGS NSW Representative Report and the marked catalogue (if relevant).
Your attention is also drawn to the requirements for submitting a complaint received at a show which are detailed in DOGS NSW Regulations Part II-Show, Clauses 16.4 to 16.6, which read as follows:-
The form should be completed in accordance with DOGS NSW Complaints Procedure, which accompanies the complaint form referred to above, and MUST specifically state the Regulation they allege the member is in breach of. The complaint should also be accompanied by the DOGS NSW Representative Report and the marked catalogue (if relevant).
Your attention is also drawn to the requirements for submitting a complaint received at a show which are detailed in DOGS NSW Regulations Part II-Show, Clauses 16.4 to 16.6, which read as follows:-
16.4 A complaint alleging a breach of Regulation 16.1 shall be made to the Show Secretary at the show, shall be in writing and, if not made by an official of the Show, shall be accompanied by a lodgement fee of $150 payable to DOGS NSW. (05/11)
16.5 The Show Secretary shall, within 7 days of receipt of a complaint referred to in Regulation 16.4 or becoming aware of a contravention of Regulation 16.1, forward details thereof to the DOGS NSW Secretary, together with all documents received together with the applicable lodgement fee. (05/11)
16.6 A complaint not lodged in accordance with Clauses 16.4 and 16.5 will not be accepted by DOGS NSW unless received within 14 days of the event giving rise to the complaint and accompanied by a late fee of $100, in addition to the applicable lodgement fee of $150. The DOGS NSW Secretary may waive either or both of the original lodgement fee and the late fee upon receipt of a reasonable and acceptable explanation. (05/11)
The full Regulations in relation to complaints at a show can be found under DOGS NSW Regulations Part II-Show, Section 16: Misconduct, by clicking here.
FCI Podcast: Ageing of Dogs
13-05-2022Ageing is inevitable, and dogs are no exception.
What is ageing exactly?
- When does it start?
- What exactly happens during the ageing period?
- When can you label it abnormal, and what are the attributes of natural ageing?
- What can you do to reduce or optimise the consequences?
- And how can current scientific findings contribute to human medicine?
This episode with Eniko Kubinyi, Borbála Turcsán, and Ivaylo Iotchev presents a deep insight into the topic of the ageing of dogs.
Please click here or on the image above to view the podcast.
Dogs Australia Special Board Meeting - Feb 2022 - Meeting Summary
29-03-2022Please click here to view the confirmed Meeting Summary of the Dogs Australia Special Board meeting held on 12 February 2022.
Enhancing DOGS NSW position on the Animal Welfare Policy (DPI Consultation Draft Bill) & Animal Justice Party (Emma Hurst) Puppy Farm Bill
15-03-2022We are pleased to announce that the submission that DOGS NSW made, on the Animal Welfare Policy (DPI Consultation Draft Bill), which has been received with credibility, allows DOGS NSW to be invited to speak at the Standing Committee on State Development, NSW Parliament next week.
Our PR media relations team are undertaking media outreach today and tomorrow to try to enhance awareness of the issues and DOGS NSW current position on the Animal Justice Party (Emma Hurst) Puppy Farm Bill.
This involves distributing a media release and undertaking extensive follow ups to pique the interest of the media and to arrange interviews with the relevant people. We will keep our members updated as to when and where these are being released.
Lyn Brand
President - DOGS NSW
DOGS AUSTRALIA Statement: Breed Ban Response
15-02-2022Please click here to read DOGS AUSTRALIA's Statement in response to the calls for some of Australia's most popular breeds to be banned.
Draft Animal Welfare Bill 2022 - (Department of Primary Industries)
15-02-2022As set out in the last Weekly Woof (dated 11 February 2022), our most important issue at present is the Draft Animal Welfare Act 2022 (Department Of Primary Industries) and the points to note that were included in our Weekly Woof.
Some of those concerns are that, currently there are additional areas in the Draft which were not included in the original Consultation Paper, which was sent to all stakeholders: (such as banning of surgical insemination, now not to be contained in Bill) (travelling dogs in a trailer must be air conditioned?). These are two (2) areas which were not included in the original Consultation Paper.
All members need to write preferably by postal mail (if not possible, then resort to email) to their State Parliamentary Member (see attached listing below).
All letters must be in your own words not pro forma letters they are not considered.
Please click here for the list of NSW members of Parliament and contact details.
Areas that you may raise, if they concern you are:
Some of those concerns are that, currently there are additional areas in the Draft which were not included in the original Consultation Paper, which was sent to all stakeholders: (such as banning of surgical insemination, now not to be contained in Bill) (travelling dogs in a trailer must be air conditioned?). These are two (2) areas which were not included in the original Consultation Paper.
All members need to write preferably by postal mail (if not possible, then resort to email) to their State Parliamentary Member (see attached listing below).
All letters must be in your own words not pro forma letters they are not considered.
Please click here for the list of NSW members of Parliament and contact details.
Areas that you may raise, if they concern you are:
1) That you consider this Bill, if it becomes legislation, will destroy your ability to enjoy your hobby/lifestyle as an exhibitor/hobby breeder, etc.
2) That you support Animal Welfare, as all animals deserve to be given the best care and attention, which as a hobbyist you do, as you are not a facility,
3) Concerns regarding enforcement and compliance, powers that can be exercised on premises. (How do you perceive that will affect you?)
4) The wording 'seized things' is confusing; to what things on your property may be seized.
Each member needs to look at this Bill and the pages we outlined previously and put into their own words how this Draft Animal Welfare Bill 2022 will affect them personally if it becomes legislation, meaning this becomes law.
The pages we previously outlined were:
1. Page 2, Part 1 Introduction, Division 1 Preliminary section 4 (c).
2. Page 4, Part 2 Interpretation, Division 2 Key concepts, section 7 (e)
3. Page 4, Part 2 Interpretation, Divison 2 Key concepts, section 7 (d) and (e)
4. Page 5, Part 2 Interpretation, Division 2 Key concepts, section 10, (1) (b)
5. Page 5, Part 2 Interpretation, Division 2 Key concepts, Section 10, (3) (c)
6. Page 9, Part 3 Requirements for care of animals, Division 2, Section 20 (3)
7. Page 9, Part 3, Division 3 Section 22 ( to be clarified to DOGS NSW in writing that
this has been revoked)
8. Page 15, Part 4 Offences relating to animal cruelty, Division 4 Section 37 (1) (a)
9. Page 29, Part 7 Enforcement and compliance, Division 3, Section 66 (1) (f)
10. Pages 30, 31, 33, 34, 35, Part 7 Enforcement and compliance, Division 4, section 70,
Division 5 section 70, sections 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83 "THINGS" and
"SEIZED THINGS" require a clear definition
Division 5 section 70, sections 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83 "THINGS" and
"SEIZED THINGS" require a clear definition
11. Page 36, Division 6 General, section 85 (1) (a) (b) (c), (2), (3), (4)
12. Page 37, Part 7 Enforcement and compliance, Division 7 section 89 (1) (a)
13. Page 65, schedule 1 Restricted procedures "Dewclaw removal on a dog"
When writing to your local member let them know you are a member of their electorate, a voter and a dog owner/ exhibitor/ breeder; that you are not a radical, but a normal citizen enjoying your hobby.
The Draft Animal Welfare Bill 2022, as well as the supporting material, is available on the NSW DPI website:
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/animals-and-livestock/animal-welfare/animal-welfare-reform
A parliamentary committee will now review the Draft Animal Welfare Bill 2022 as part of the Inquiry into Animal Welfare Policy in NSW. The community is invited to review and provide feedback on the Draft Bill as part of the Inquiry process. Submissions close 28 February 2022 and can be made through the Parliament of NSW website.
Opinion: DOGS NSW warns Bill will cripple Dog Ownership
11-02-2022In this recent media release DOGS NSW President Lyn Brand explains why proposed legislation will have a devastating effect on the industry.
"Proposed legislation, with massive over-reach, threatens not just to keep strays off the streets but also to remove our pets from our homes or yards." says Lyn Brand.
To read the full media release please click here.
Let's get positive! Here are some Facts from Professor Claire Wade regarding the Animal Justice Party (Emma Hurst Puppy Farming) Bill
08-02-2022We would like to thank Professor Claire Wade for allowing DOGS NSW to reprint her professional and valued opinion regarding the Animal Justice Party Bill.
The following changes to companion animal breeding rules are proposed:
61ZF Proprietors of companion animal breeding businesses must not breed dogs
or cats in certain circumstances.
A proprietor of a companion animal breeding business must not breed from a female dog or cat in the following circumstances—
(a) more than twice,
(b) if a heritable defect is identified in a previous litter of the dog or cat,
(c) with a dog or cat that is related to the dog or cat by blood.
Maximum penalty—
(a) for a corporation—2,000 penalty units,
(b) for an individual—400 penalty units or imprisonment for 1 year, or both.
Response:
The animal welfare justifications for the proposed changes are absent or unclear.
There is no scientific support for the suggested changes.
Part (a): The rationale for the metric of two breedings is unclear or unjustified. There is no scientific evidence to suggest that negative welfare outcomes ensue from breeding an animal more than twice or even more than any particular number times if the animal is otherwise assessed as being in good health. There is no welfare or other justifiable reason why an animal assessed as fit by their veterinarian should not be bred.
Part (b): The definition of a heritable defect is absent or unclear. For Mendelian recessive conditions, simply breeding the animal with a partner from a different genetic background will minimize the chances of re-occurrence. Indeed, the imposition of such a requirement is far more likely to generate negative genetic outcomes from a population perspective by severely restricting the effective population size of the breeding population. This will do far more genetic harm than good. Most modern companion animal breeders actively participate in research to provide new genetic tests for Mendelian conditions where these do not already exist and actively apply genetic testing to minimize or eliminate the occurrence of Mendelian inherited defects in progeny.
For complex traits, such as orthopaedic traits or cancer, the proposed limit is unlikely to make any substantive impact on the occurrence of disorders in progeny.
Part (c): The definition of “related by blood” is unquantifiable. If this same requirement was imposed upon humans, then many cultures would be subjected to genocide.
Penalties:
The breaches would be impossible to prove and very severe. The legal battles that would ensue from attempting to enforce the breaches would place unnecessary stress on the court system and create serious mental health issues for the humans who love their animals. No part of the proposed Bill is either justifiable or desirable from any perspective, and particularly not from an animal welfare or animal genetic health perspective.
Professor Claire Wade
Chair Computational Biology and Animal Genetic
Part (b): The definition of a heritable defect is absent or unclear. For Mendelian recessive conditions, simply breeding the animal with a partner from a different genetic background will minimize the chances of re-occurrence. Indeed, the imposition of such a requirement is far more likely to generate negative genetic outcomes from a population perspective by severely restricting the effective population size of the breeding population. This will do far more genetic harm than good. Most modern companion animal breeders actively participate in research to provide new genetic tests for Mendelian conditions where these do not already exist and actively apply genetic testing to minimize or eliminate the occurrence of Mendelian inherited defects in progeny.
For complex traits, such as orthopaedic traits or cancer, the proposed limit is unlikely to make any substantive impact on the occurrence of disorders in progeny.
Part (c): The definition of “related by blood” is unquantifiable. If this same requirement was imposed upon humans, then many cultures would be subjected to genocide.
Penalties:
The breaches would be impossible to prove and very severe. The legal battles that would ensue from attempting to enforce the breaches would place unnecessary stress on the court system and create serious mental health issues for the humans who love their animals. No part of the proposed Bill is either justifiable or desirable from any perspective, and particularly not from an animal welfare or animal genetic health perspective.
Professor Claire Wade
Chair Computational Biology and Animal Genetic
University of Sydney
*PLEASE NOTE: Members are encouraged to circulate this information and to lobby your State members of Parliament regarding the proposed Animal Justice Party (Emma Hurst Puppy Farming Bill).
In addition there is a petition site CHANGE.ORG that members may like to use to have their puppy owners, and all who own dogs, sign, regarding the AJP Emma Hurst Puppy Farming Bill. Start your own petition and send to your State member.
In addition there is a petition site CHANGE.ORG that members may like to use to have their puppy owners, and all who own dogs, sign, regarding the AJP Emma Hurst Puppy Farming Bill. Start your own petition and send to your State member.
DOGS NSW Media Release in response to the Animal Justice Party ( Emma Hurst Puppy Farming Bill)
07-02-2022MEDIA RELEASE
Media Contact: DOGS NSW [email protected]
BREEDERS WARN THAT ANIMAL JUSTICE PARTY BILL WILL CRIPPLE DOG OWNERSHIP (Sydney, February 7, 2022)
Pet ownership, breeding, and the future of dog shows in New South Wales are all under threat from radical new laws proposed by the Animal Justice Party.
DOGS NSW, which is recognised by the NSW government as the peak purebred breeding body in the State, has warned that the AJP’s Companion Animals Amendment (Puppy Farms) Bill 1 would have a devastating effect on our way of life and the entire pet industry if enacted.
“This misguided, draconian Bill will decimate the breeding and exhibition of purebred dogs and cats, undermine our freedom to have pets, and have next to no effect on puppy farm operations, which we are absolutely against,” said Ms Lyn Brand, President of Dogs NSW, which registers 25,000 purebred dogs every year.
“We are astounded by the Animal Justice Party’s lack of insight. Their Bill would create huge incentives for unlicensed backyard operators that make it impossible to regulate breeding conditions and animal welfare. This badly flawed Bill has missed the mark – it will actually have the effect of being anti-animal, with destructive consequences for the professional breeders, owners and hobbyists represented by DOGS NSW.”
DOGS NSW, which is recognised by the NSW government as the peak purebred breeding body in the State, has warned that the AJP’s Companion Animals Amendment (Puppy Farms) Bill 1 would have a devastating effect on our way of life and the entire pet industry if enacted.
“This misguided, draconian Bill will decimate the breeding and exhibition of purebred dogs and cats, undermine our freedom to have pets, and have next to no effect on puppy farm operations, which we are absolutely against,” said Ms Lyn Brand, President of Dogs NSW, which registers 25,000 purebred dogs every year.
“We are astounded by the Animal Justice Party’s lack of insight. Their Bill would create huge incentives for unlicensed backyard operators that make it impossible to regulate breeding conditions and animal welfare. This badly flawed Bill has missed the mark – it will actually have the effect of being anti-animal, with destructive consequences for the professional breeders, owners and hobbyists represented by DOGS NSW.”
To read the full media release please click here.
@dogsnsw
