Page 665 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 28 March 2006
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retrospectively and legally be entitled to the animals or registrations, et cetera, which they previously purchased. I am sure that is the case. If that is not going to be case, then I hope the government will clarify that as they close the debate on this subject today.
It is good news that this illegality of the collection of fees has now been rectified. It was an obvious oversight that dogs sold by the pound in the ACT since 21 June 2001 could have possibly been illegally purchased by their owners. Therefore, this validation of fees bill reassures the community that they do in fact legally own their dogs and proves it was not the case under the original act. In conclusion, I again state that the opposition will be supporting this bill as it rectifies a significant loophole in the current act in relation to the collection of fees.
DR FOSKEY (Molonglo) (11.50): I, too, support this bill as it stands, because it is really only a tidy-up of the legislation to retrospectively cover an administrative error. I have got no problem with the minister setting fees for the purchase of an impounded dog. I do not want to complicate this discussion as this is only a small, administrative bill. However, it is an opportunity to quickly bring up the issues of sales of dogs and their desexing generally.
I am glad to note that Domestic Animal Services and the RSPCA have been working with each other to improve the services and options available to new animal owners who purchase dogs from the Domestic Animal Services Pound. At present, when someone purchases a dog from the pound, they can get their dog desexed and microchipped at a reduced rate through the RSPCA. Of course, when one buys a dog through the RSPCA, the dog is already microchipped and desexed. Here we have an anomaly which I believe needs to be attended to.
If you buy from the pound a dog that has not been desexed and you do not immediately go to the RSPCA, you are in breach of the law. Unfortunately—and we know this because we know that, sadly, there are many irresponsible dog owners in this territory, as elsewhere—many people will not go the extra yards to have their newly purchased dog desexed, even though the RSPCA is offering quite a good deal, much cheaper than any vet. So why cannot the pound work with the RSPCA so that no dog leaves there not desexed?
I acknowledge that this will add to the cost of the animal, but it is a cost that will have to be paid anyway because the law says that an animal of this kind must be desexed. The reduced cost that the RSPCA offers can be applied but paid as one takes a dog home and not later. Despite legislation making dog desexing compulsory, hundreds of unwanted dogs, that is, dogs that were born without official approval, are still euthanased by Domestic Animal Services and the RSPCA each year. If this is of concern to anybody, then purchasing an already desexed dog through the pound, the RSPCA or another animal rescue or foster organisation is the ethical and responsible way to acquire an animal, unless of course you are after a specific breed, in which case you might want to look for an experienced, registered breeder.
Reputable, registered breeders understand the specific breed, the needs of a young puppy and how to bring them up to be well-socialised and balanced dogs. They will also provide support for you while you are caring for that dog and better information on the future care of that pet and will vet people’s suitability as an owner.
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