Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 published

The Minister said: “I am very pleased to publish the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009. The Bill will provide safeguards for dogs in such establishments and provide assurances to customers that pups and their mothers were well treated in these establishments. This legislation has been in gestation for a long time and I am pleased to announce its publication. We all have all seen some of the appalling images of illegal puppy farms and this legislation will put an end to those who would run backstreet operations.”

Matters in relation to dog control are governed by the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 to 1992, as amended. The Minister said that this legislation is, in general, working satisfactorily since enactment but needs updating in certain areas, particularly in relation to regulations dealing with dog breeding establishments.

The Minister added “The preparation of the Bill has involved significant ongoing consultation with a variety of interested parties, including Government Departments, voluntary bodies and interest groups such as the Hunting Association of Ireland and the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The provisions of the draft Bill have been informed by these consultations and I wish to thank all for their participation.” “I am confident that the Bill is stronger for their input”, the Minister concluded.

The Minister stressed his intention to have the Bill introduced to the Houses of the Oireachtas early in the New Year and enacted at the earliest possible date.

“I would like to take this opportunity to remind people and I know it is a cliché but a dog is not just for Christmas it is for life. Every year when Christmas is over we see a large increase in the numbers of dogs abandoned. I would appeal to people to think long and hard before acquiring a dog for Christmas. Already because of the economic downturn we are seeing more animals who have been mistreated abandoned on our streets. If you are committed to getting a family pet for Christmas and are happy to look after its needs long-term them perhaps you might consider giving a dog from a pound a happy home.”

Note for Editors
• The main part of the Bill will cover the regulation of dog breeding establishments. Each local authority will be required to have a register of dog breeding establishments and will require operators of such establishments to register and pay an annual fee. The Bill provides that existing dog breeding establishments can continue to operate for three months after the commencement of the Act. The Bill proposes that a local authority shall not register a premises if the application is not in order, the applicant is in breach of the Act or if the local authority is of the opinion that the premises is not suitable for the operation of a dog breeding establishment. Each premises will receive a ‘registration certificate’ which must be prominently displayed.

• It is proposed that hunt clubs, commercial boarding kennels and charitable dog operations (e.g. mountain rescue) would be exempt from paying fees but must register and be subject to possible inspection.

• It is proposed that an establishment can be removed from the Register by order of the District Court or be subject to conditions which the District Court may impose.

• There is provision for fines for summary offences not exceeding €5,000 or imprisonment for up to 6 months. These offences include providing false information, non display of a registration certificate or obstruction of authorised personnel. Fines shall be paid to the relevant local authority.

• The relevant local authority will be able to serve an improvement notice on the establishment if the establishment is believed to be in breach of the Act or there is a threat to public health or animal welfare.

• A local authority will be empowered to issue a closure notice requiring a dog breeding establishment to cease breeding or keeping dogs at the establishment on the basis of stated grounds.

• It will be an offence to operate an unregistered dog breeding establishment except in specified circumstances where there is an application submitted or where it is subject to appeal.