Puppy farming
Background
With the focus on pedigree health and welfare, it is important that the problem of puppy farming is not overlooked. Puppy farming is high risk and involves potential health and welfare issues that clients inadvertently buy-in to.
Three recent reports have recommended the creation of an independent Advisory Council to provide advice regarding the welfare issues of dog breeding. The first two reports were released in 2009 and the third in January 2010 (‘Pedigree dog breeding in the UK: a major welfare concern?’ commissioned by the RSPCA, a report from the Associate Parliamentary Group for Animal Welfare entitled ‘A healthier future for pedigree dogs’ and the ‘Independent inquiry into dog breeding’ by Professor Sir Patrick Bateson).
What the BVA has done
Most recently, the BVA President raised the issue of puppy farming at the Annual BVA Welsh Dinner where he commended the work undertaken by the Welsh Task and Finish Group to tackle this problem and called for the rest of the UK to follow suit.
Latest Legislative Developments: Wales
The Welsh Rural Affairs Minister, Elin Jones, has announced her intention to introduce new legislation to replace the Breeding of Dogs Act 1973. The new legislation will be based on proposals made by an expert Task and Finish group which was commissioned by the Minister to review existing legislation.
The new legislation will reflect the five welfare needs enshrined in the Animal Welfare Act 2006, introduce compulsory microchipping of all breeding dogs as well as puppies prior to sale or homing and will limit the number of dogs per full time attendant.
There will be a full consultation on the new legislation shortly.
The BVA has issued a press release welcoming the new developments and will be responding to the consultation.
More information