Welsh Assembly Backs Grants for Puppy Farms
The Welsh Assembly has chosen to turn a blind eye to the cruelty inherent in the puppy trade. Through the Farming Connect service, it is offering support to dog breeding activities by way of a ‘Farm Enterprise Grant’ for diversification, a service open to anyone who has a ‘holding’ number and who spends 550 hours per annum on an agricultural enterprise. Twenty years ago a similar proposal was put forward when milk quotas forced a drop in prices realised for milk.
The introduction of a scheme of this kind, to encourage the commercial breeding of dogs, appears to highlight how unaware and ill informed the assembly are to animal welfare concerns. It is an appalling act of betrayal to thousands of dogs kept in inhumane conditions throughout rural Wales, where some breeders disregard their most basic needs.
Lack of Meaningful Inspections
Breeding premises are inspected once a year by Council Inspectors and are given notice before they arrive. The purpose of the inspection is to ensure that welfare standards are being met and licensing conditions adhered to. The notice some authorities give to breeders ensures that kennels have plenty of time to present an acceptable level of complicance. We know from speaking to breeders that inspections can be a mockery. Many dogs are moved to other buildings, floors cleaned, bedding renewed and bowls cleaned and filled prior to inspection.
Encouraging commercial dog breeding in Wales is a shameful betrayal of thousands of dogs and reflects badly on good breeders and a wonderful country. The Welsh Assesbly should withdraw support immediately!
