Anyone breeding
and selling three or more litters of puppies a year will have to apply for a
formal licence
The sale of puppies under the age of eight weeks is to be made
illegal under plans to crack down on so-called backstreet breeders.
Anyone breeding and selling three or more litters of puppies a
year will have to apply for a formal licence under tougher rules announced by
Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom.
Smaller breeders as well as commercial breeders will have to
meet a "strict welfare criteria" and those who sell pets on the
internet will be subject to the same licensing regulations.
Breeders who break the rules face an unlimited fine and up to
six months in prison.
Ms Leadsom said: "Everyone who owns a pet or is looking to
introduce one into their life will want to know that the animal has had the
very best start to life.
"Yet for thousands of puppies born each year to
irresponsible breeders, from smaller operations to larger puppy farms, their
first weeks are spent in cramped and squalid conditions without the care and
attention they need.
"That is why we are cracking down on the worst offenders by
strengthening the dog breeding licence and giving councils the power they need
to take action."
Dogs Trust veterinary director Paula Boyden said: "As the
UK's largest dog welfare charity, Dogs Trust welcomes the Government's review
of animal establishments licensing in England and the range of measures it sets
out.
"We are particularly pleased that it will be illegal to
sell a puppy below the age of eight weeks and that there will be tighter
licensing rules which will require sellers of pets to display their licence when
advertising."
Kennel Club secretary Caroline Kisko said: "We are pleased
that Defra will be taking forward proposals to ban the sale of puppies under
the age of eight weeks by commercial third parties.
"We have called for a ban on third party sales, and refuse
to register puppies being sold to third parties, but this new rule is a step in
the right direction.
"We also welcome the requirement for pet sellers to provide
written information about the animals they sell and for those who sell pets
online to display their licence number."
Battersea Dogs & Cats Home also praised the plans as a
"welcome first step".
The charity's chief executive Claire Horton said: "It's
high time we put a stop to the many undercover backstreet breeders and
large-scale puppy farmers that profit from their cruel treatment of these
animals.
"No puppy should start its life in cramped, squalid
surroundings, before being torn away from their mother at a few weeks old.
"So many owners buying their new pet would be horrified to
know that this was indeed the case.
"Toughening the current dog breeding licensing rules and
making it completely illegal to sell puppies younger than eight weeks old is a
welcome first step and we now look forward to working with the Government to
see these plans be put into practice and progress further."
From the desk of:Animal Rights Association of Nigeria-07040303030
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/animal-rights-dogs-sale-puppies-under-eight-weeks-illegal-backstreet-breeders-a7558471.html
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