Calls on the Ministry of Agriculture to introduce laws on dog breeding

Lynn Boylan of Sinn Féin said the label of Ireland as ‘Puppy Breeding Capital of Europe’ is ‘not something we should be proud of’.

The senator made the remark during a debate on Seanad on Thursday, November 11.^e, 2021.

“It can be fixed, but we need transparency and proper inspections of these sites,” she told Seanad.

Boylan shed light on Irish puppy breeding in the Seanad following a meeting of the Joint Agriculture, Food and Marine Committee.

Meeting attendees heard from the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, DSPCA, on what needs to be done to strengthen laws in Ireland, particularly in the area of ​​dog welfare.

“The DSPCA has highlighted that puppy farms are the biggest animal welfare issue it faces,” she told Seanad.

“This whole industry is based on the concept of animal cruelty and consumer deception. “

“Puppies, as young as six weeks old, are transported across the border and smuggled into Britain.”

Puppy farm

The DSPCA asked the DAFM to put in place laws on dog breeding under its remit.

The senator said he also requested a single public database showing:

• How many breeding bitches are there on a site;
• Who owns the site;
• How many times it has been inspected.

He also requested that the DSPCA and other agents authorized under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 be appointed as inspectors of these dog breeding establishments because local authorities do not not efficient work. “

“It is quite possible for a responsible breeder to make a living. However, in Ireland there are up to 600 breeding bitches at a single establishment. “

This does not include puppies and stallions, she added.

“These animals have no capacity for socialization and no genetic testing,” she said.

“They are mechanically fed and as such have very little human interaction. They are then sold to families who wonder why the puppies have behavioral problems or are very sick, ”she added.

The senator described the steps to be taken to resolve the problem.

“We need Revenue to look at these establishments that breed up to 600 bitches, maybe twice a year, with ten puppies sold for around $ 1,500 each.”

“When you do the math, Revenue loses. We do not have the appropriate transparency and no control in this area by the DAFM, ”she concluded.

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