By Flickr
Breeding marvellous... or breeding awful?
Meant to tackle backstreet breeding, they also regulate other aspects of dog care, such as boarding
establishments and doggie daycare. However, the new requirements received very mixed reactions...
Dogs Trust’s deputy veterinary director, Runa Hanaghan, has little doubt that the new
breeding regulations are a step forward for animal welfare.
“We welcome these regulations, which update and replace outdated legislation that predated
the Animal Welfare Act 2006,” she said. “We hope that this new legislation will mark the start of significant
improvement for the welfare of dogs involved in the breeding, selling and boarding trade.
“In preparation for the introduction of the new regulations, we have been working closely with local
authorities. To be effective, it is crucial that the new law is enforced fully. In August and September this year, we
worked with animal health inspectors from the City of London Corporation to deliver a training roadshow to
more than 300 local authority inspectors across England, to help ensure the officers tasked with enforcing the new
regulations understand the changes being introduced and the part they play in implementing them.
“Importantly, for the first time, the new regulations will mean that licensing will be extended to cover
online sellers, home dog boarders and doggie daycare providers. We are pleased the law is taking account of
these emerging trades and hope it will be extended in the future to introduce licensing of further activities, including
rehoming organisations, sanctuaries, dog walkers and groomers, to ensure greater protection for all dogs.”
BAFFLED BREEDERS
executive, Peter Laurie, said, “Relentless breeding of dogs in dirty, squalid conditions takes place in neighbourhoods up
and down the UK. Battersea and other rescue centres are often left to pick up the pieces when breeding bitches are
deemed no longer useful and are dumped on the streets. “We hope today’s regulations will help to clamp down
on the cruel practice of forcing these dogs to live in horrible conditions while giving birth to litter after litter.”
By Dogs Today
No comments