Importance of responsible pet ownership

The recent discovery of six abandoned puppies in the Lockyer Valley region has highlighted the importance of desexing animals.

Two separate litters of puppies were found dumped, one in Laidley and the other at Helidon, prompting calls from Council to stress the importance of responsible pet ownership.

Lockyer Valley Regional Council Mayor, Cr Tanya Milligan said the puppies were now safe, after such a careless act of abandonment.

“There are several options available to pet owners who find themselves in this situation.

“The puppies could have been surrendered responsibly to our pound or other animal care facility free of charge, instead of this cruel act.

“Desexing your pet is the best way to stop overpopulation and reduce the amount of unwanted dogs and cats coming to the pound.

“There are so many reasons why you should desex your pets, including reducing unwanted litters and health benefits later down the track, such as reducing the risk of cancer and other diseases of the reproductive organs.

“Desexing also reduces the risk of female animals suffering from physical and nutritional exhaustion from continual breeding.

“Desexed animals are also less prone to wander, fight and get lost or injured and have reduced territorial behaviour,” Mayor Milligan said.

The puppies are currently being housed at Council’s pound, awaiting rehousing with Animal Welfare League Queensland in the coming days.

It is an offence under the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 (the Act) for people in charge of animals to abandon or release them, be cruel or breach their duty of care. This includes going away on holiday or moving house and leaving a pet behind to fend for itself, or deliberately dumping an unwanted animal.

The maximum penalty for an individual convicted of unreasonable abandonment or release is $46,440, or one-year imprisonment.

For more information, contact Council on 1300 005 872.