Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Written evidence submitted by Canine Action UK

1. Summary

Many of the current problems relating to dogs can be linked directly to the way they are bred and sold. In particular, the commercial trade in puppies through third party sellers such as dealers and pet shops is an unnecessary and outdated practice, likely to have considerable negative implications for owners and for the welfare of breeding dogs and puppies. Existing legislation therefore needs amending to make it unlawful for this trade to continue.

2. Assessment of existing situation

(a)There are no accurate figures for the commercial dog breeding industry, which makes it difficult to assess the scale of the business or identify and tackle the problems at source. Additionally, many dogs that are sold in the UK have been imported from Europe and it is impossible to ascertain whether they have been bred and transported in acceptable conditions.

(b)The welfare of breeding dogs at many commercial breeding establishments is a cause for deep concern because existing legislation relies too heavily upon subjective judgements and is not rigorously applied.

(c)Buyers may be duped into purchasing a dog from a source they would have otherwise avoided due to the absence of any real regulation of pet advertising and the anonymous nature of internet advertisements. Few internet classified sites carry any advice for buyers meaning a vital opportunity to educate on good purchasing protocol is lost.

(d)Traditionally, dog breeding has been regarded as no different from any other business or livestock enterprise, which has resulted in a number of problems:

(i)The escalating numbers of unwanted dogs and puppies is undoubtedly due in part to the overproduction of dogs bred for the pet market and the ease with which dogs can be purchased. Owners can be unprepared for the ongoing costs and commitment that come with dog ownership and discarding the dog is frequently the easiest option.

(ii)The dog breeding industry is also unique because the buyer rapidly forms an emotional attachment to the puppy. This allows sellers to abdicate responsibility as the purchaser will be unwilling to return or replace the puppy if problems should subsequently develop. Those who buy puppies from sources where issues commonly arise are often the least able to manage or resolve the problems, leading to dogs being abandoned or euthanised. Commercial breeders and sellers are also far less likely to offer any post sales support to new owners or refuse a sale on the grounds of unsuitability.

(iii)Unlike other industries, people will have different reasons for breeding dogs and this will inevitably lead to variations in methods and standards of welfare. Buyers also have different priorities, which will lead them to make certain choices when purchasing a puppy. There is very little protection for buyers who have to rely on their own knowledge and judgement to make a good purchase.

(e)Commercial breeders with the poorest standards of welfare usually rely on third parties to sell their puppies. Research and extensive evidence have shown that this practice has no beneficial attributes and frequently has a considerable, long-term detrimental impact on the physical and/or mental health of the dog. This will inevitably have negative financial and emotional consequences for the owner. Across the World, the recommended buying advice is to see the puppies with their mother and this is never contradicted. Selling dogs through shops in particular encourages impulse purchasing, which subsequently is often the reason why dogs are either abandoned or neglected. The unique position that pet dogs have in modern Britain means they are ill suited to being reared as livestock and sold as general goods.

3. Possible Actions for Government

(a)The administrations for Wales and Northern Ireland are considering changing primary legislation to include more detailed requirements for breeders. However, this would be unworkable due to the huge variation in dog breeding methods and situations.

(b)Ending the sale of dogs from third party agents such as pet shops and dealers would not require new legislation to implement and would be popular with the public as well as being wholeheartedly supported by welfare organisations. Removing the reference to pet shops in existing legislation means that licensed breeders would need to deal directly with prospective new owners. This should provide considerable incentive to ensure good practice is adhered to and that the highest rather than minimum standards are met. Breeding dogs for commercial gain would remain a legitimate business for those that are able to meet improved standards of welfare and quality. Amending the Pet Animals Act (1951) to prohibit the sale of dogs bred outside the UK would close the loophole for commercially importing puppies. These measures would effectively cut off the supply of dogs to third party sellers and may be easier to implement than an outright ban. It is likely that pet shop owners and puppy dealers would protest against such changes on the basis of restriction of trade. However, this does not provide sufficient justification when set against overwhelming evidence of the negative consequences of this practice. Ending the sale of dogs through pet shops and dealers would be the most significant improvement in dog breeding welfare for decades.

(c)There should additionally be a mandatory requirement for commercial breeders to be a member of an officially recognised Breeder Accreditation Scheme to enable consumers to confidently identify responsible breeders

(d)Most puppies are bred by casual rather than commercial breeders, but enforcing breeding legislation would be impossible in private homes. Casual breeders are a lower welfare risk and would benefit more from guidance through a Code of Practice than legislation especially as for many, breeding is a one off experience.

(e)Advertising of dogs for sale needs more stringent regulation to ensure buyers are not misled and are given sufficient advice to make an informed choice.

A more detailed appraisal of the current problems and suggestions outlined in this submission can be found in the Independent Report into the Breeding and Sale of Dogs in the UK and accompanying Study into Online Advertising of Puppies in the UK. These documents can be downloaded from http://canineactionuk.wordpress.com/.

June 2012