RSPCA Tasmania has backed new dog welfare regulations that came into effect this week but says law reform must go further to stamp out puppy farming in the state.
The Animal Welfare (Dogs) Regulations 2026 close a number of long-standing gaps in the 2016 instrument, introducing tougher breeder standards, mandatory vet checks for breeding bitches and higher penalties.
The existing 18-month, two-litter frequency cap is replaced with a five-litter lifetime cap, alongside a seven-year mating age limit and a new restriction on breeding from dogs with known heritable conditions.
A loophole exempting working dogs, hunting dogs and Tasracing-registered greyhounds from the definition of a regulated facility has been removed.
Penalties have also been standardised at 20 penalty units for most offences, up from as few as five, backed by a new on-the-spot infringement scheme.
RSPCA Tasmania CEO Andrea Dawkins described the changes as the most substantial upgrade to the state’s dog welfare standards in a decade.
“These regulations lift the floor on how every dog in Tasmania must be treated and we support them,” Dawkins said.
“But regulations alone can’t fix a system where our Inspectors often don’t know a breeding operation exists until a complaint comes in, usually after the damage has already been done to the animals involved.”
Dawkins said the RSPCA is now pushing for mandatory breeder licensing and a cap of 10 breeding bitches per breeder under the Dog Control Act.
“Tasmanians remember what a puppy farm looks like when it’s uncovered, we saw it firsthand when 239 dogs were surrendered from a single Tasmanian property,” she said.
“A breeding-bitch cap and mandatory licensing are the two levers that would stop an operation like that from ever reaching that scale in the first place. Without them, we are always going to be cleaning up after the fact rather than preventing the harm.”
Greens animal rights spokesperson Cassy O’Connor said the removal of the greyhound exemption was a critical change.
“Greyhound racing facilities, like trainer and breeder kennels, were exempt under the previous rules,” she said.
“This has meant welfare inspectors like the RSPCA had no jurisdiction to enter properties where racing greyhounds may be suffering.”
O’Connor said the change should put the greyhound industry on notice.
“From today, the conditions they keep their dogs in will be judged under the Animal Welfare Act 1993, just like every other dog,” she said.
Minister Gavin Pearce said the reforms were shaped by almost 300 public submissions.
“It’s clear that Tasmanians want to see our dogs looked after,” Pearce said.
“Our Liberal government continues to work with councils, animal welfare organisations, breeders, veterinarians and dog owners to implement these strong new animal welfare regulations.”
RSPCA Tasmania will continue to push for Dog Control Act amendments when they come before parliament later this year.
