Urgent need for dog breeders and lovers to respond to Welsh Assembly proposals

The Kennel Club is again urging all dog breeders and lovers in Wales to respond to the dog breeding consultation currently being held by the Welsh Assembly Government, in order to protect the future of small scale responsible breeders and the future welfare of dogs.

The Kennel Club fears that the draft regulations, the consultation period for which closes at midnight on Thursday 13^th January, will fail to crack down on puppy farmers and will instead have a detrimental impact on responsible breeders and help to fuel the puppy farming trade.

A principal change being put forward by the Welsh Assembly is that the trigger for licensing will move from those breeding five or more litters to those who have three breeding bitches and who breed two or more litters a year. It will also cover, amongst other criteria, those with three of more breeding bitches and who either keep them in what are deemed to be commercial kennels or who sell 10 puppies annually. This will result in a significant increase in the number of small scale breeders who need to be licensed and checked, at a cost which it is believed could amount to £500 over the course of three years.

The Kennel Club, further to making a call for breeders to influence the consultation when in started in October, attended two meetings in Wales last week – one set up by Camarthen Council and the second by the Kennel Club and the Welsh Kennel Club. Both meetings highlighted the importance of anyone interested in dogs responding to the consultation, as any new legislation could provide a framework for other governments in Westminster, Scotland or Northern Ireland in the future.

The Kennel Club’s Health and Breeder Services Manager, Bill Lambert commented, “With just a few days left before the consultation closes, it is vital that those with an interest in dogs respond to this consultation now, as the effects will be far reaching.

“The Kennel Club welcomes the lead that the Welsh Assembly Government is taking to try and make life difficult for puppy farmers. For example we welcome, in principle, the proposal for compulsory microchipping so that puppy farmers can be traced. But there is a very real chance that the proposals, as they stand at the moment, will place restrictions on caring small scale breeders, discouraging them from breeding and driving people further into the hands of puppy farmers.

“For these breeders the proposed licensing costs are prohibitive. But they will be captured under the proposals and assumed to be commercial breeders simply because they own three unneutered bitches – all or some of which could be retired or part of a long term breeding plan – and if they sell ten puppies in a year, which could easily be from just one litter.

“In the meantime, puppy farmers and those who breed purely for profit will continue to evade the authorities and will take even less care over their puppies and breeding bitches in order to meet licensing costs. 

 “If the legislation is to succeed it is vital that responsible breeders are encouraged to continue breeding. For example, members of the Kennel Club Accredited Breeder Scheme go far above and beyond what is accepted as good breeding practice, are already subject to inspection and incur great expense in ensuring that they breed happy, healthy puppies. We believe that such people should be exempt from licensing and the suggested prohibitive costs.

“We hope that these draft regulations are simply a starting point and that the responses to the consultation will guide the Welsh Assembly towards more sensible legislation that targets the right people.”

The Kennel Club’s full response to the consultation and advice about how to respond can be found at www.thekennelclub.org.uk.

Details of the consultation and proposed regulations can be found here.

To respond to the consultation before the deadline of midnight on 13^th January,  email companionanimalwelfare@wales.gsi.gov.ukor write to Animal Welfare and By-products branch, Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer, Welsh Assembly Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NQ.

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