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.