Recommendations & Conclusions
10 items
3
Conclusion
Second Report - Pet welfare and abuse
Rejected
It is estimated that less than half of puppies entering the market are from licensed breeders. Many breeders will be unlicensed because they fall below the three-litter threshold specified under LAIA regulations, effectively making them untraceable. The lack of traceability enables unscrupulous, low welfare breeding practices to flourish under the …
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It is estimated that less than half of puppies entering the market are from licensed breeders. Many breeders will be unlicensed because they fall below the three-litter threshold specified under LAIA regulations, effectively making them untraceable. The lack of traceability enables unscrupulous, low welfare breeding practices to flourish under the radar. More stringent safeguards are needed to ensure robust protections for the welfare of dogs and their puppies.
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Government response AI summary
The government partially accepted the concern but argued against specific measures like listing breeds for whom a licence would not be issued, citing potential unintended consequences. It suggested considering work towards high-welfare and high-health outcomes instead of introducing additional guidance, effectively rejecting specific new stringent …
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
7
Conclusion
Second Report - Pet welfare and abuse
Rejected
There are significant welfare concerns over the ‘puppy yoga’ trend, which involves the use of underage and potentially unvaccinated puppies in a setting that may be highly detrimental to their health and wellbeing. The Department should work with sector organisations to review how these welfare concerns could be most effectively …
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There are significant welfare concerns over the ‘puppy yoga’ trend, which involves the use of underage and potentially unvaccinated puppies in a setting that may be highly detrimental to their health and wellbeing. The Department should work with sector organisations to review how these welfare concerns could be most effectively addressed—for example through introducing stronger regulations, or introducing an outright ban of this practice. (Paragraph 32) Canine Fertility Clinics
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Government response AI summary
The government rejects the recommendation, arguing that existing penalties under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 for illegal veterinary practices are already higher than suggested and provide a suitable deterrent, with unlimited fines and potential imprisonment.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
10
Recommendation
Second Report - Pet welfare and abuse
Rejected
The current £100 fine on summary conviction for performing acts of veterinary surgery illegally is a derisory deterrent and is well below the cost of most, if not all, veterinary procedures. The Government should bring the fine for individuals illegally performing acts of veterinary surgery in line with the financial …
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The current £100 fine on summary conviction for performing acts of veterinary surgery illegally is a derisory deterrent and is well below the cost of most, if not all, veterinary procedures. The Government should bring the fine for individuals illegally performing acts of veterinary surgery in line with the financial penalties under The Animals (Penalty Notices) Act 2022. Alongside this, the Government should issue guidance setting out which enforcement body members of the public and veterinary professionals should report concerns to about suspected illegal veterinary surgery.
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Government response AI summary
The government rejects the recommendation, stating that existing penalties for illegal veterinary surgery are already unlimited on summary conviction in England and Wales, and higher than implied elsewhere, thus making the suggested change unnecessary. The request for guidance was not addressed.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
15
Conclusion
Second Report - Pet welfare and abuse
Rejected
The financial situation faced by local authorities is affecting their ability to undertake activities including inspections, kennelling, investigations and enforcement. At the same time, the number of dogs from low welfare or illegal breeding establishments seized via local authority enforcement activities is resulting in capacity issues. Some local authorities struggle …
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The financial situation faced by local authorities is affecting their ability to undertake activities including inspections, kennelling, investigations and enforcement. At the same time, the number of dogs from low welfare or illegal breeding establishments seized via local authority enforcement activities is resulting in capacity issues. Some local authorities struggle to execute warrants as there are insufficient kennel spaces for seized dogs. Sadly, some local authorities are being forced to put dogs to sleep because of lack of capacity and funding.
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Government response AI summary
The government stated it would not seek to make changes regarding local authority funding and capacity for seized dogs at this time, instead focusing its response on existing biosecurity measures and disease risk monitoring.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
16
Conclusion
Second Report - Pet welfare and abuse
Rejected
Animal welfare legislation must be consistently and robustly enforced if it is to achieve its statutory objectives and act as a deterrent to unscrupulous breeders seeking to circumvent the law. Local authorities play a vital role in the licensing and enforcement activities that protect animal welfare. The ability of local …
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Animal welfare legislation must be consistently and robustly enforced if it is to achieve its statutory objectives and act as a deterrent to unscrupulous breeders seeking to circumvent the law. Local authorities play a vital role in the licensing and enforcement activities that protect animal welfare. The ability of local authorities to perform key regulatory activities is constrained by a lack of specialist knowledge and training, and inadequate funding and resourcing. This results in an inconsistent approach nationally, and a postcode lottery in terms of levels of understanding and prioritisation of animal welfare issues. If enforcers are unable to meet their statutory duties under LAIA regulations, perpetrators may become emboldened to flout them.
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Government response AI summary
The government stated it has no plans to introduce the recommended requirements for improved local authority enforcement and resourcing at this time, instead detailing existing strict import requirements related to rabies prevention.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
17
Conclusion
Second Report - Pet welfare and abuse
Rejected
A more consistent approach to training and accreditation for animal welfare officers is needed. Existing variations in training and enforcement puts animal welfare at risk. A central unit of suitably trained inspectors should be established which can be utilised by local authorities to improve collaboration and disseminate best practice. Wales …
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A more consistent approach to training and accreditation for animal welfare officers is needed. Existing variations in training and enforcement puts animal welfare at risk. A central unit of suitably trained inspectors should be established which can be utilised by local authorities to improve collaboration and disseminate best practice. Wales has implemented a 5-year animal welfare plan which includes a focus on sharing and developing local authority knowledge and training. The Department should work with counterparts in Welsh Government, and the sector, to assess how similar measures could successfully be embedded in England.
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Government response AI summary
The government stated it has no plans to implement a more consistent approach to animal welfare officer training or establish a central unit at this time, instead focusing on existing tapeworm treatment policies and tick surveillance.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
22
Recommendation
Second Report - Pet welfare and abuse
Rejected
The Government should mandate pre-import screening measures to control and restrict the movement of dogs from countries which have endemic diseases, such as Brucella canis and leishmaniasis, that are not present in the UK. Accordingly, all imported dogs from these countries should be tested for relevant non-endemic diseases.
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The Government should mandate pre-import screening measures to control and restrict the movement of dogs from countries which have endemic diseases, such as Brucella canis and leishmaniasis, that are not present in the UK. Accordingly, all imported dogs from these countries should be tested for relevant non-endemic diseases.
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Government response AI summary
The government rejects the recommendation to mandate pre-import screening, stating it will not seek to make this change at this time. It notes existing powers to introduce measures if necessary and advises prospective owners to ensure dogs are tested before import.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
23
Recommendation
Second Report - Pet welfare and abuse
Rejected
The Government should introduce a requirement for a rabies blood (titre) test by a veterinary professional before a dog enters the UK. The post-rabies vaccination waiting period should be increased from three to 12 weeks. This would help mitigate the risk of rabies entering the country via imported dogs, as …
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The Government should introduce a requirement for a rabies blood (titre) test by a veterinary professional before a dog enters the UK. The post-rabies vaccination waiting period should be increased from three to 12 weeks. This would help mitigate the risk of rabies entering the country via imported dogs, as well as ensuring that puppies and kittens cannot be imported under the age of six months. This would have the added advantage of tackling puppy smuggling.
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Government response AI summary
The government rejects the recommendation to introduce a rabies blood test requirement and increase the post-vaccination waiting period, stating it has no plans for these changes due to the current low rabies risk and existing strict import requirements. It mentions a separate commitment to end …
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
24
Recommendation
Second Report - Pet welfare and abuse
Rejected
The Government should shorten the tapeworm treatment window from 24–120 hours to 24–48 hours; introduce mandatory tapeworm treatment for imported cats as well as dogs; and reintroduce compulsory tick treatments for all non-commercial movements of cats and dogs. (Paragraph 96) Pet importation — responsibility, monitoring and enforcement
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The Government should shorten the tapeworm treatment window from 24–120 hours to 24–48 hours; introduce mandatory tapeworm treatment for imported cats as well as dogs; and reintroduce compulsory tick treatments for all non-commercial movements of cats and dogs. (Paragraph 96) Pet importation — responsibility, monitoring and enforcement
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Government response AI summary
The government rejects the recommendation to shorten the tapeworm treatment window, introduce mandatory tapeworm treatment for cats, and reintroduce compulsory tick treatments, stating they have no plans for these changes at this time, but will continue to review the policy.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
26
Recommendation
Second Report - Pet welfare and abuse
Rejected
Responsibility for border pet checks should be moved from carriers to qualified Government agency professionals. This should include a requirement for permanent 24/7 staffing cover at ports of entry.
Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the concern but rejects the recommendation, stating they have no current plans to change border enforcement arrangements and detailing existing rigorous pet travel checking regimes by authorised pet checkers and agencies.
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Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs