Ian from Victoria has recently acquired a labradoodle puppy but is facing two significant issues—behavioural fears towards him and a genetic jaw malocclusion expected to cost over $2,000 to treat. Ian is concerned about the lack of support from the breeder regarding these issues and is exploring his options, including the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (Vcat).
In response, Kat George highlighted that all Australian states have specific regulations for breeders that protect consumers. Breeders in Victoria, regardless of their registration status, must adhere to the Code of Practice for breeding animals, which includes standards for hereditary defects. If the puppy’s jaw condition is classified as heritable and was undisclosed, reporting the breeder to authorities like Agriculture Victoria or the RSPCA is an option.
While the Australian Consumer Law (ACL) may cover the situation by treating pets as consumer goods, the behavioural issue might be more challenging to address since puppy training is generally expected from new owners. Ian should initially contact the breeder with veterinary evidence and request a remedy. If unsuccessful, he can escalate the matter to Consumer Affairs Victoria or Vcat, where assistance from the Animal Law Clinic may also be beneficial.