Huge fine imposed on Trafalgar dog breeder

A Trafalgar dog breeder has been hit with fines of more than $13,500 for breaches of the Domestic Animals Act.
The fine imposed by a Magistrates' Court followed charges laid in November by Baw Baw Shire Council over the operation of an unregistered domestic animal business and for having 25 unregistered dogs on the property.
Mayor Annemarie McCabe said council made no apologies for its strict and proactive zero-tolerance approach to animal welfare and eliminating puppy farming and the negative impacts of excessive breeding.
Excessive breeding, keeping too many animals on a property and not having properties up to required standards pose significant risks to the community, she said.
Over the past year, council reported it had successfully prosecuted 15 local breeders and animal owners for breaching local laws and the Domestic Animals Act.
The 31 charges taken to court, covering a range of offences, resulted in fines totalling almost $20,000.
They included five relating to serious dog attacks and another five for non-serious attacks, two charges of conducting an unregistered domestic animal business, three for keeping more than the permitted number of animals without a permit and 14 charges for not confining animals to a property. Council said it issued 60 fines for unregistered animals.
Cr McCabe said that during the year council officers had conducted more than 100 inspections of dog and cat breeding businesses and attended more than 780 properties to check animal registrations.
She also appealed to community members to play their part by informing council if they know or suspect breaches of the local laws.
Council's Domestic Animal Management Plan, adopted in 2021, promotes and encourages responsible pet ownership and aims to minimise the risk of dog attacks, manage dog breeds that are declared restricted, dangerous or menacing and address euthanasia rates for dogs and cats.