The laws have not been designed to fit into a farming situation or a working dog's life. As a working kelpie breeder, I am extremely concerned for the future of our breed and the livestock industry.

We are breeding vital tools for our industry. We are not backyard breeders who are out to make a buck. If we were, we wouldn't be breeding kelpies.

The kelpie has been around for over 150 years. If we are restricted in our breeding practices, as the laws would have us be, then the demise of the kelpie and its 150 years of line bred genetics could all go down the drain.

We are all feeling utterly persecuted and wronged that we could be included under the same umbrella as "puppy farms", let alone be put in the same sentence.

We are saddened by the lack of knowledge from the governing bodies that have written these laws and their pure ignorance of our working dogs, and what it entails to breed these animals.

We are honest, reliable breeders. We have a screening process for our buyers and we reiterate training methods and education to both new owners and dogs.

I believe that we should shut "puppy farms" down, but why can't we educate all people both breeders and consumers rather than introduce unworkable laws on them?

Currently, a kelpie pup costs between $400-$1000. If these laws are passed consumers can expect to pay anywhere from $1500 and up.

The once accessible and carefree kelpies will be a thing of the past; consumers will have to wait for litters to be bred, rather than buying when they are advertised.

Border collies, cattle dogs and koolies will also be greatly affected.

We are not breeding a companion dog, we are breeding a tool so vital to the industry that we save the government millions of dollars through less WorkCover claims, superannuation and taxation. At the end of the day, old Wal doesn't eat much and he doesn't cost the government much, but he sure as hell knows how to work!

ZOE CROUCH

Derrinallum