Puppy Farm Raids - Ballarat Dogs Found!

Last month ALV located 35 of Ron Wells' puppy farm breeding dogs (originally from Australia’s largest puppy farm which ALV shut down in 2005) on a puppy farm near Sale. The owner of the Sale puppy farm admitted that Ron Wells arrived at his property late one night with 35 dogs in the back of his van, the puppy farmer handed over $20,000 to Ron Wells. The dogs remain in poor condition and the Sale puppy farm owner admitted to having one of the Ballarat dogs put down, a chocolate lab, as it was “riddled with cancer”. The fact that the Ballarat dogs remain in poor condition has not stopped this puppy farmer breeding from them and exporting their puppies throughout Asia. The dogs are kept in pens with old car bodies as their shelter from the elements. Their misery continues. ALV is continuing the search for the rest of Ron Wells dogs, as this breeder said he was aware that others in the area also bought dogs from Wells when he closed down his mega breeding factory in 2005. He also 'defended himself' by telling us that at least he doesn't shoot his old breeding dogs even though "90% of the puppy breeders, when they’re finished with the dogs they shoot em, 'cause [if] they give them away, then they’re liable for all vet bills that occur once that dog has left their possession."

ALV also raided ACA breeders (located near Sale as well). This puppy farm was featured on Burke's backyard in 1999 and Don Burke stated that it was a “well run puppy farm”. Some of the dogs we saw at ACA breeders were living in pens with plastic bucket type structures as the only protection from the elements, a clear violation to the code of practice. Others were kept in small concrete and wire pens (see photo above and see more photos here). The owner admitted to having 300 to 400 breeding dogs. ACA Breeders and their Wantirna pet shop are currently sponsoring a “Responsible Pet Ownership” competition run by Knox Council. Local councils are spending thousands of dollars killing dogs in their pounds and shelters yet are allowing the breeding of more dogs by issuing permits for puppy farms to operate. See photos from ALV's raid.

YOU CAN HELP! The two puppy farms raided by ALV were keeping their dogs in appalling conditions and violating the code of practice. Please write to the Wellington Shire Council (Sale Office, 70 Foster Street, Sale, 3850. Ph: 1300366244. Fax: (03) 51423499. E-mail: [send email to enquiries@wellington.vic.gov.au] enquiries@wellington.vic.gov.au) and tell them they have a responsibility to enforce the code at the Sale puppy farms. If the puppy farmers don’t abide by the law then they should be shut down. Demand that they inspect the properties immediately. Also write to the Knox council (511 Burwood Highway, Wantirna South 3152. Ph. 9298 8000. Fax 9800 3096. E-mail knoxcc@knox.vic.gov.au) and advise them there is nothing responsible about puppy farms/petshops and they should refuse the sponsorship of ACA Breeders and other pet shops from this competition (click here to read a sample letter).

PHOTOS FROM RAID AT ACA BREEDERS