The first is a breeding facility on Onus Rd at Copeton and the other is at Nullamanna, with an online petition against the Copeton facility attracting more than 50,000 signatures from across the world.

Gwydir Shire Council mayor John Coulton said the Copeton development application would be approved if it was found to be compliant, although he admitted there had been further breaches discovered earlier this week.

“Council is seeking more information regarding compliance,” he said.

Dogs Without Borders said this puppy factory had operated illegally since 2010.

Fairfax Media has reported that up to 300 breeding dogs would call the facility home each year and that the Community Services and Planning Committee of Gwydir Shire Council recommended approval of the site on this basis, stating that the facility was “generally in the public interest” and the “proposal would also provide socio-economic benefits to the area”.

The farm was raided by 10 RSPCA trucks in January after allegations from animal welfare agencies that the bodies of dogs were found scattered about the property.

Cr Coulton said the council had fined the facility previously, but the owners were “trying to become compliant so they can continue operating”.

“I am not judging whether it’s good or bad, morally,” he said.

“We are being inundated by emails because of the online petition. I received 250 in one night, but if we had a DA for a brothel, we couldn’t reject it on moral grounds.” 

Cr Coulton said he had never in his life received this much correspondence about a development application.

He said the council would be guided by the RSPCA on the issue and said the breaches had to be “attended to”, which would be difficult for the owners because they did not have a development application to complete the necessary works.

It is believed the owners were fined $90,000, which they have appealed.

The DA for the dog breeding facility is due to go back before the  council on Thursday, December 17.

The Nullamanna development application is also a controversial one, as the site has also been inspected and fined in the past for animal welfare breaches.

The region’s Dogs Without Borders has encouraged residents and supporters to contact Inverell Shire Council about the development and voice their opposition.

Dogs Without Borders said that the development application had been lodged with Inverell Shire Council for a boundary adjustment and animal boarding or training establishment.

However, according to the welfare organisation, the Nullamanna property will involve 243 dogs – 112 breeding bitches, eight male breeders, 103 progeny and 20 working dogs.

The organisation is concerned that this DA will not be publicly displayed for feedback, with the council only notifying neighbours.

Both properties have been of interest to Dogs Without Borders for some time and the organisation has vowed to fight the approval of either facility.