Recommendations & Conclusions
8 items
4
Conclusion
Second Report - Pet welfare and abuse
Deferred
The litter licensing threshold for dog breeding should be reduced from three to two per 12-month period. A list of all licensed sellers should be publicly available, which would allow for verification and provide assurance to buyers. Care should be taken to ensure that future legislative changes to the breeding …
Government response. The government partially accepts, stating that health and welfare of commercially bred cats are already protected. It has commissioned a review and requested views on cat breeding regulation, and will consider further steps only after these reports are published.
6
Conclusion
Second Report - Pet welfare and abuse
Deferred
There are currently few legal safeguards to protect cats and their kittens, as cat breeding is not a licensable activity. Cat breeding should be awarded the same legislative safeguards and regulations as dog breeding under LAIA regulations. (Paragraph 31) Pet welfare and abuse 35
Government response. The government partially accepts the recommendation but deflects by stating that updating the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 is a significant undertaking for which parliamentary time has not yet been set aside, without addressing cat breeding under LAIA regulations.
8
Conclusion
Second Report - Pet welfare and abuse
Deferred
The rise in Canine Fertility Clinics, from 37 in 2020 to over 400 in 2023, is of significant concern. Many are likely being operated without veterinary involvement, with invasive procedures classed as acts of veterinary surgery being performed unlawfully by lay-persons, to the detriment of the animals involved. Unscrupulous Canine …
Government response. The government shares concerns about designer pets but deflects from the specific issue of Canine Fertility Clinics. Instead, it details existing relationships with canine/feline sectors, online advice, and public messaging campaigns like Petfished, which focus on general pet welfare and …
9
Recommendation
Second Report - Pet welfare and abuse
Deferred
The Government should introduce a new Veterinary Surgeons Act to update that of
Government response. The government partially accepts but discusses the potential unintended consequences of reducing dog breeding litter thresholds. It states it is considering the impacts in a post-implementation review of the LAIA Regulations and has commissioned an AWC opinion, after which it …
11
Recommendation
Second Report - Pet welfare and abuse
Deferred
The Government should work with the sector to formulate and introduce a public information campaign to raise awareness around welfare issues and harms of so- called ‘designer’ pets, particularly brachycephalic breeds, with the aim of discouraging acquisition of these breeds.
Government response. The government shares concerns about non-exempt mutilations but deflects from the recommendation for a public information campaign. Instead, it highlights that ear cropping is already an offence under existing legislation with tougher penalties, and that advertising standards prohibit such ads.
12
Conclusion
Second Report - Pet welfare and abuse
Deferred
Stud dogs should be brought within Licensing of Activities Involving Animals regulations. The inclusion of stud dogs would help give traceability and ensure welfare measures apply to male dogs kept for breeding, who otherwise fall outside the scope of the regulations. (Paragraph 47) Abuse and Manipulation
Government response. The government partially accepts the need for consistency in enforcement but deflects from including stud dogs in LAIA regulations. It instead details existing requirements for suitably qualified local authority inspectors and Defra's work to share best practice and provide training …
14
Recommendation
Second Report - Pet welfare and abuse
Deferred
It is all too easy to purchase DIY ear cropping kits online. This allows unscrupulous individuals to carry out this act of mutilation. Alongside closing the importation loophole, the Government should legislate to restrict the possession, hosting, sale and supply of DIY ear cropping kits. (Paragraph 61) Monitoring and enforcement
Government response. The government partially accepts the concern but deflects from legislating on DIY ear cropping kits. Instead, it announces support for the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill, which will provide powers to prohibit the import of puppies, …
18
Conclusion
Second Report - Pet welfare and abuse
Deferred
The Department should work with local authorities to assess the adequacy of existing kennel space capacity for seized dogs and implement measures to increase capacity if needed. (Paragraph 73) Pet importation — incidence and smuggling
Government response. The government acknowledged the concern about kennel capacity but stated it has no current plans to change border enforcement arrangements, instead detailing its existing robust pet travel checking regimes and collaboration with enforcement agencies.