First Minister pledges legal crackdown on Welsh puppy farms

NEW laws designed to end bad practice in “puppy farms” in Wales will be introduced in the autumn, First Minister Carwyn Jones said yesterday.
The measures follow widespread concern at the poor animal welfare conditions discovered in some unlicensed dog breeding establishments.
Mr Jones announced the aim to legislate during a visit to a Dogs’ Trust re-homing centre near Bridgend, where he met a puppy named Carwyn in his honour.
He stressed the Welsh Government’s commitment to improving standards of animal health and welfare in Wales.
Environment minister John Griffiths announced the Welsh Government’s intention to consult on new legislation to cover breeding establishments earlier this year. Data in 2009 showed 249 unlicensed dog breeding premises across Wales.
But some hobby breeders fear that regulations could also force them out of business.
The proposals, to be consulted on this autumn, will follow further focus group work. The intention is to raise standards of health and welfare for puppies born in Wales, and also for breeding dogs.
The proposals include the tightening of the thresholds where a dog breeding licence is required; defining a staff to dog ratio; compulsory microchipping of puppies prior to sale from licensed breeders; recognising the need for behaviour and socialisation of animals to be taken account of in licensing requirements.
Mr Jones said: “We will be bringing forward new legislation to ensure that irresponsible breeding in so called ‘puppy farms’ is brought to an end.
“We aim to bring forward revised legislation for further consultation by the National Assembly this autumn.”
Claire Lawson, RSPCA external affairs manager for Wales, said: “In recent years Wales has witnessed a growing problem with the commercial production of puppies.
“It is crucial that the new regulations will equip enforcement bodies to tackle bad practice in the dog breeding industry, especially the so-called puppy farms.”
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