Most people would generally expect that puppies purchased from pet shops and/or online websites are nurtured in socially acceptable environments. Well think again! 

Thankfully, recent state legislation in Victoria will prevent pet shops selling puppies/dogs other than those pet shops affiliated with a rescue organisation who will be permitted to sell dogs for adoption. At this stage the same is not true in other states. Purchase a puppy on-line or from a pet shop and you are supporting puppy factories.

Case study - recent court action in Victoria
Dean Pearce his mother Phyllis and father John recently pleaded guilty to combined 200 animal cruelty offences at the Kerang Magistrates court in Northern Victoria.

This family left almost 200 dogs completely matted living in their own fifth including many puppies kept in raised wire cages where their faeces would fall to the ground to be left under the cage for months on end.

• 31 dogs were found to be dangerously underweight
• 35 were suffering severe matting on fur from fecal matter
• 30 had dental disease
• 10 ear infections
• 3 untreated wounds
• others heart murmurs, prolapsed eye lids and eye disease.

The dogs were living on concrete floors, with no heating or protection from the weather. The property was raided by the RSPCA in 2013, 2014 and finally, we hope, in 2015. During the court appearance the court heard that the business had earned $253,000 through 570 sales to pet stores I love Pets in Richmond and Top Pets in Highpoint Shopping Centre, both in Victoria. These sales took place in 2 years and 5 months until the first raid in 2013. Inevitably, in the horrific conditions found at this puppy factory, many puppies would have died before becoming old enough to sell. Adding this into the equation during these 29 months these people were probably producing more than 1 litter of 6 puppies every week.

The court heard a sob story that Dean who started this puppy factory in 1996 had suffered two car crashes and his parents said the dog breeding business was critical to his 'good mental health' - forget the anguish and mental health of the dogs they exploited.

When asked if he had a reason for not complying with the code, the accused responded "I'm that busy, I'm trying to run a farm"  "Something's got to suffer, but my dogs are well fed" Mr Peace is quoted as saying.

His dogs are fed well? Then why were 31 dogs were found to be dangerously underweight!

The court heard he (Dean Pearce) got joy out of operating the dog breeding facility which supplied animals to Melbourne and the family was not motivated by greed or financial gain.

One thing is clear these dogs got no joy whatsoever with their life with these people - living in complete and utter filth, squalor and horrendous conditions.

I could not imagine buying a puppy online from someone you only meet on the side of a road when you collect the puppy. There is a very good reason why the seller would not want you to go to the puppy factory.

Buy your next puppy from a reputable breeder who is a member of an applicable organisation such as DOGS Victoria or adopt.