Greyhound industry best able to pay and most in need of regulation

THE shadow boxing of backbench TDs purporting to represent “rural Ireland” is gathering pace as the Government seeks to pass the puppy farming bill.

This will enforce an annual fee of €400 on breeders owning six or more bitches of breeding age. Local authority vets will be regulated to inspect licensed dog breeding premises annually or as warranted.

Bitches will be restricted to three litters every two years. All pups will be microchipped by law, but there are indications greyhound premises will achieve an exemption. This would be bad news as vets and others in the animal industry know the greyhound sector has a significant over-production problem. The effect of traceability, regulation and a registration cost would mean a reduction of puppy numbers at the cheaper end of the market, which is where overcrowding and animal welfare issues are most likely to arise.