By Jess Baker
International animal rights organisation PETA will submit a petition to Southern Downs Regional Council for the very first time, urging it to reject a Welsh corgi “puppy farm” expansion at Eukey.
An application to have the number of dogs allowed at a Eukey kennel for breeding purposes increased from five to 20 was lodged with the council in April this year.
Plans stated the existing kennel structure at the site would not be altered to accommodate a greater number of dogs and the number of on-site staff would not be increased.
It was proposed the corgi dogs would be sold online, both interstate and overseas, with their delivery to buyers by courier service.
No visits to the site would be allowed.
PETA’s petition stated the applicants’ decision not to allow prospective buyers to inspect the site in person was a “red flag” as it indicated the breeders had “something to hide”.
“Even if there’s nothing to hide, allowing a breeder who sells exclusively online to operate in your region sets a dangerous precedent and paves the way for puppy mills or scammers to legitimise their businesses,” read the petition.
“Dogs are living, feeling individuals who form strong family bonds – they’re not products to be couriered by post.”
The petition has gained more than 4000 signatures since it was first shared on Monday 28 June, including hundreds from residents in the Southern Downs region.
“Thousands of compassionate people have already spoken, and Southern Downs Regional Council should heed their concerns with animal welfare,” said PETA spokesperson Emily Rice.
“Building a commercial puppy-breeding facility at a time when Australians are increasingly choosing to adopt animals in need of a loving home from shelters isn’t a smart long-term investment for Eukey or the state as a while.
“Compassion and logic must prevail, and we’re urging everyone who cares about animals to sign this petition.”
Warwick-based animal rescue charity Southern Downs ARK has also expressed its disapproval of breeding within the region.
President of the group Ann Simon said the group had, as of Wednesday 8 July, adopted 81 dogs and puppies since Christmas.
“There are so many abandoned dogs, why do we want to breed more?” Ann said.
“And also, some of these places where they breed them, the conditions are disgusting.
“I’m not saying in this case, because I don’t know anything about this particular breeder, but a lot of these puppy farms as they call them – puppy mills – are absolutely disgusting.”
Ann said it also was “very bizarre” that the kennel did not want to meet the buyers of its puppies in person.
“We won’t adopt homeless dogs to people unless we meet them face to face because there are so many awful people out there,” Ann said.
“And they’re prepared to send their gorgeous little puppies … out to anybody without even meeting them.”
PETA will submit the petition to Southern Downs Regional Council on Friday 9 July.
The application to expand the kennels at Eukey is one of four relating to breeding kennels submitted to the council this year, with the most recent submitted on Monday 5 July for the construction of breeding kennels at Emu Vale.
