01/11/2022
Oscar is a representation of all the dogs who have been locked in a cold or hot, dark, concrete enclosure, rotting in untreated infections, health issues, feaces/urine for their whole lives. Those who have lived their lives as a cash machine instead of a living being.
In year 9 I did an assignment and dedicated it to his story & the story of how his owner has helped bring laws into place to stop the mistreatment.
Thank you Deb and Oscar ❤️🐾
In 2017, Victoria became the first place in the country to outlaw puppy farms.
But truth is, it wasn't our victory.
It was Oscar's.
When Oscar was rescued from the puppy farm where he spent the first five years of his life, he weighed just over a kilo.
His teeth and gums were rotting, his fur was matted and his ears were infected.
Deb, who rescued him, remembers seeing him shaking and hiding at the back of a dark shed.
She grabbed Oscar and took him home.
But the breeders – the same people who had chosen to treat him like that – called the police and had Oscar returned to them.
To Deb, Oscar was a sweet little dog who deserved to be loved – but to the breeders, he was just a cash machine.
That didn't stop Deb.
She went back in a disguise – and $400 later, Oscar was hers.
She spent months helping to rehabilitate and teaching him that he was safe and loved.
And that could've been a happy ending to their story.
But it wasn't enough.
They set about putting an end to the cruel practice of puppy farming – for good.
Together they fought for Oscar's Law.
And they won.
Oscar was a fighter – right up to the very end.
He fought to survive in that puppy farm.
He fought to end puppy farming alongside Deb.
And even when the vet gave him just days to live – he fought to see his 16th birthday.
Sadly, yesterday, Oscar's fighting days came to a close - with Deb by his side.
To Oscar, Deb and the entire team at Oscar's Law – our state is a better, fairer and kinder place because of all of you.
We'll miss you, Oscar.
