A City of Swan resident has been ordered to pay $95,000 and banned from owning dogs for a decade after a City investigation led to its largest ever dog seizure.
The City seized 82 dogs from a property in October 2022 during an investigation into possible breaches of planning and animal laws.
The investigation was carried out after a complaint about the number of dogs at the property and the conditions they were being kept in.
Eighty-one of the dogs were successfully rehomed through the City’s animal management facility and another facility.
They received health checks and vaccinations before they were registered and rehomed.
The remaining dog, a kelpie named Wally (pictured below), was rehabilitated and rehomed by the RSPCA.
After the seizure, the City initiated a prosecution for offences under the Planning and Development Act 2005 and the Dog Act 1976.
The matter was finalised at Midland Magistrates Court in June 2024, where the Magistrate described the offending activity as “heart-wrenching”.
The resident was banned from owning or keeping dogs for 10 years and ordered to pay penalties and costs of $95,000.
A total of $80,000 in penalties was imposed for planning charges related to the keeping of dogs at the property.
The charges under the Dog Act 1976 related to microchipping, registration and keeping excess dogs.
Tanya Richardson, City of Swan Mayor, said the City was pleased the court had sent a strong message to the community.
“This stands as a deterrent for others, and it also validates the thorough investigation and seizure process undertaken by our staff,” Mayor Richardson said.
“This was a confronting case for our staff and I’m particularly happy to know all 82 of these dogs were able to be rehomed.”
Mayor Richardson said the City was looking forward to the implementation of new laws as part of the State Government’s Dog Amendment (Stop Puppy Farming) Act 2021.
The State Government reached a key milestone with the reforms on Friday, awarding a contract for the creation of an online centralised registration system for cats and dogs.
The Stop Puppy Farming reforms are expected to be fully implemented by the time the new registration system, PetsWA, goes live in 2025.
“These changes will improve the regulation of dog breeding in WA and empower local governments to improve animal welfare,” Mayor Richardson said.
“If anyone is aware of activity involving dogs which they believe might be unauthorised, we encourage them to contact the City so we can look into it.”
