Webinar Presentation by Animal Welfare Victoria
Thursday, 19 July 2018
Dogs Victoria members can now view the webinar presentation on our YouTube channel which has been provided to Dogs Victoria by Animal Welfare Victoria, a part of the Victorian Government Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources. More information about Animal Welfare Victoria is available here
To find out more about Dogs Victoria and the changes to the Domestic Animals Act, please visit our Legislation page on this website.
Animal Welfare Victoria - new Facebook page
Wednesday, 11 July 2018
To stay updated with Animal Welfare Victoria (government department) developments as they relate to the Regulations from the Domestic Animals Act, head over to their new Facebook page, just launched this week.
ANKC Press Release - Kangal Shepherd Dog
Wednesday, 4 July 2018
A press release from ANKC Ltd can be read here regarding the Kangal Shepherd Dog.
KCC Park Boxhall Pavilion - Eighth Ring
Wednesday, 4 July 2018
At the Management Committee meeting held in June 2018 it was agreed that when an all breeds championship show and a breed club show are being held at KCC Park, and there is inclement weather, the eighth ring in the Pavilion can be used.
Domestic Animals Bill - Updated Fact Sheets
Wednesday, 4 July 2018
Dogs Victoria have been provided with three updated fact sheets regarding the Domestic Animals Act, with further information about the source number and the Pet Exchange Register - read more here. If you require further information, members are encouraged to send their feedback and questions to Animal Welfare Victoria via pet.welfare@ecodev.vic.gov.au or 136 186.
Members should note that Animal Welfare Victoria have indicated their intent to introduce further regulations that will make a source number mandatory for all breeders, regardless of whether they advertise. We will seek further details from Animal Welfare Victoria on the detail and timing of these future regulations.
Model Health Management Plan
Thursday, 21 June 2018
A condition of Applicable Organisation status is that Dogs Victoria’s Codes of Practice comply with requirements set by the Victorian Government. Breeders maintaining a Health Management Plan is one of these.
Dogs Victoria has developed this Plan for its breeder members, so they do not need to develop their own.
Click here to read more.
Member Update - Code of Practice
Tuesday, 5 June 2018
Members will be aware that Dogs Victoria has been undertaking a review of our Code of Practice. While we have always maintained that Dogs Victoria’s members and breeders set the standards in welfare and animal management practices, our review has found that our Code of Practice needs to be improved to provide better information and guidance to members and the broader community. It needs to also reflect regulatory and legislative changes made both recently and over a number of years prior to now.
With that in mind, Management Committee has made a number of amendments to the Code to provide clarity and guidance on areas such as record keeping, the health and welfare of breeding dogs and bitches, puppy health guarantees and in the requirements around breeding where hereditary diseases may be a concern.
A copy of the revised Code of Practice is available HERE and becomes effective 15 August 2018. Members are encouraged to read and provide feedback to our dedicated email.
While many of these changes reflect legal requirements, others are in keeping with advances in veterinary care and welfare practices. It is worth noting that governments are increasing animal welfare regulation, particularly around the breeding of domestic animals. While we are familiar with our own experience in Victoria, member breeders in South Australia and Queensland are also now required to follow new welfare regulatory frameworks. Western Australia and New South Wales are in the consultative processes for new welfare regulations/legislation as well. It is clear that, as attitudes to pet ownership have changed over time, governments now view animal welfare as a core community concern.
While we welcome better understanding by community and governments of animal welfare and care, we need to ensure that any regulatory changes are workable. For our members, of utmost importance is the need to keep our independent, self-regulatory status as an Applicable Organisation – something which we almost lost last year, before we successfully campaigned for amendments to the original Puppy Farm Bill. While we have retained our status, we need to understand that Applicable Organisations are expected to set high standards in governance, animal welfare, management practices and breeder education, in return for the exemptions granted to them.
In order to ensure that our members are well equipped to meet these benchmarks, Dogs Victoria will assist through the provision of templates and education. These templates, which include a kennel health plan for breeders and a much improved sales contract (drawn up by solicitors) will provide both guidance and clarity for members in meeting our regulatory requirements. These templates are in the process of being finalised at the moment and will be made available to members shortly. There will also be a range of education tools and materials made available to affiliates and members to complement the templates.It is the strong view of Dogs Victoria that we must be proactive if we are to maintain credibility in our assertion that Dogs Victoria’s members and breeders set the benchmarks in terms of breeding, welfare and animal management practices. Therefore, Dogs Victoria’s role is to act both as an advocate and also to provide support for our members and pedigree dogs more generally, as we look at ways to improve our current structures and practices so that we are better prepared for the future.
Statement regarding Belinda Petrowsky (Membership #3100009666)
Friday, 9 February 2018
Dogs Victoria has received a number of complaints relating to Ms Belinda Petrowsky and her breeding practices. Specifically, the complaints relate to an application to register a litter of Cocker Spaniels and the correctness of the declaration of parentage made by the member.
An investigation was commenced and DNA analysis was obtained by Dogs Victoria which established beyond reasonable doubt that the sire and the dam listed on the litter application were not the parents of all of the puppies included in the application.
Further, Dogs Victoria’s investigation also revealed microchip irregularities.
As a result of the investigation and the findings, Dogs Victoria brought disciplinary charges against Ms Petrowsky, including disciplinary charges pursuant to the following Rules, Regulations and Codes:-
20.1 VCA Code of Practice - Ethics
20.1.2 A member shall not engage in any behaviour that is contrary to the standards accepted by the community.
2.17 VCA Rule - Disciplining of Members
Members shall strictly observe and act in conformity with and not otherwise than in accordance with the Rules, Regulations, Codes of Ethics and Codes of Practice of the VCA and shall not conduct themselves in such a manner as to bring the VCA into disrepute or to bring themselves as a breeder, owner, exhibitor, handler, Show official, Judge or VCA member into disrepute.
A Disciplinary Hearing was scheduled in relation to this subject on Thursday, 8 February 2018, however prior to the hearing taking place, Ms Petrowsky tendered her resignation as a member of Dogs Victoria on Friday, 12 January 2018.
Dogs Victoria does not have power to proceed against a person who is not a member, and accordingly Ms Petrowsky’s resignation has prevented the hearing of these charges and appropriate disciplinary action being taken.
Dogs Victoria’s Management Committee considers this public statement is made accurately for the purposes of notifying its members and those potentially affected by Ms Petrowsky’s breeding practices in this matter. Dogs Victoria has further determined that Ms Petrowsky shall not be eligible to be re-admitted as a member and has notified the ANKC and other relevant organisations of Dogs Victoria’s decision.
New legislation section on the website
Wednesday, 20 December 2017
As the Victorian Government resumes debate on the Domestic Animals Amendment (Puppy Farm and Pet Shops) Bill 2016, it remains vital that all members are informed of any changes which may affect your obligations as a member of Dogs Victoria.
As such we have created a new section on our website called ‘Victorian Legislation’. This section will contain continually evolving information as issues relating to canine welfare are raised.
New Regulation - Shortened Tails Registration Process
Thursday, 30 November 2017
Members are notified of the new Shortened Tails Registration Process as approved by Management Committee at their November 2017 meeting.
This is a new regulation which will be updated on our website shortly. Click here to read more.
Members have until 31 December 2017 to comply with the process.
