New measures planned in Kildare to combat cruelty against dogs by breeders
A government minister based in County Kildare has said that new measures are being planned to combat cruelty against dogs by breeders.
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, has announced plans to introduce ‘constructive reforms’ to Ireland’s dog breeding legislation via the creation of a new Bill, with plans to enact it in Kildare and beyond.
According to the Fine Gael representative, the new measures will mark ‘a steep change in ensuring ethical breeding practices and in strengthening animal welfare standards for that sector nationwide’.
Minister Heydon explained that the proposed reforms, which were set out in a draft General Scheme to amend the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010, will introduce ‘robust’ new measures targeting breeding practices, sales regulations, and enforcement powers.
The Newbridge -based politician also noted that the government has just approved priority drafting of the Bill and publication of the General Scheme for pre-legislative scrutiny.
Minister Heydon elaborated: “These reforms represent a decisive step in addressing unethical dog breeding practices and ensuring that animal welfare is at the centre of the sector.”
“By tightening regulations, increasing transparency, and introducing meaningful penalties, we are sending a clear message that poor standards and exploitation will not be tolerated,” he added.
The new legislation is designed to:
Minister Heydon added: “These legislative changes will mark a step change in standards, controls and enforcement in dog breeding establishments.”
He also emphasised to the general public: “I want to remind people of the important role that they can play in dog welfare, as a dog is a lifetime commitment — anyone who is considering getting a dog or a puppy as a pet should consider adopting from a local shelter or buying only from registered establishments.”
Furthermore, Minister Heydon has said that he has considered both the views of the Dog Control Stakeholder Group and submissions made to his Department in relation to the next Animal Welfare Strategy.
He explained that these views and submissions focussed on ‘enhancing staffing levels, preventing overbreeding, ensuring traceability, strengthening enforcement powers, and precluding third-party sales’.
Moreover, Minister Heydon outlined a number of key measures which are listed in the legislation:
The Bill also introduces strict new rules governing the sale of pups, including:
ENFORCEMENT AND PENALITIES
In an attempt to better ensure compliance, the new Bill also enhances enforcement powers:
Lastly, the reforms aim to formalise the publication of a national register of dog breeding establishments, therefore improving transparency for both consumers and regulators — it is also hoped these new provisions will enable easy data sharing between Minister Heydon’s Department, local authorities, and An Garda Síochána.
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