Puppy farm cruelty faces legal crackdown

ROGUE puppy farm owners are to be brought to heel after plans to introduce standards and regulations following a large number of recent cruelty cases were unveiled yesterday.

Environment Minister Martin Cullen yesterday announced the setting up of a group of animal welfare experts to advise on the kind of rules and legislation that need to be brought in.

The group is chaired by a prominent veterinary surgeon, Finbarr Heslin of the Beaufield Veterinary Centre in Celbridge, Co Kildare, and has been directed to report back to the Cabinet by Christmas.

Announcing the initiative, Mr Cullen said the Government was concerned at the spate of cruelty cases discovered on so-called puppy farms this year and was determined that dog breeders should be made operate to the highest standards.

“We have seen and read the reports where dogs have been kept in atrocious and shameful conditions.

“While the majority of dog breeding establishments are run in a professional manner, it is wrong to ignore cases where dogs have been subject to cruel practices,” he said.

“Making a quick buck at the expense of animal welfare is wrong. By bringing together all the stakeholders and benefiting from expert opinion, we can achieve a properly administered and supervised structure for dog breeding in Ireland.”

The move follows a spate of incidents earlier this year when breeding dogs and their puppies were discovered in poor conditions on farms in Tipperary, Wexford and Laois.

The rescue of almost 300 animals from cramped and dirty cages, many of whom were found to be suffering infections, ulcers and behavioural problems, led to outcry from animal welfare campaigners who have long argued that the breeding industry needed regulating.

Mr Cullen’s announcement was made during a visit to the voluntary PAWS animal sanctuary in Sallins, Co Kildare, which cares for and rehouses unwanted and rescued dogs.

The full membership of the working group hasn’t been finalised but it will include representatives from the Veterinary Council of Ireland, Bord na gCon, gardaí, local authorities, the Irish Kennel Club, the Dog Breeders Association of Ireland, National German Shepherd Working Dog Association, the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Departments of Agriculture and Environment.

Its terms of reference will be “to make recommendations for any improvements needed in the management of kennels.”

Meanwhile, dog owners in Co Galway were urged to be on guard yesterday following a series of thefts of pets in recent weeks.

The Galway Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals reported an increase in the number of pedigree dogs being stolen, especially terriers and smaller breeds. The Claregalway and Galway city areas have been particular targets.