Council’s Cabinet considers recommendations on dog breeding licensing

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Cabinet has endorsed recommendations for consideration on dog breeding licensing function within the county following a Task and Finish group review.

The key aims of the review were to explore how the team currently delivers the regulation of dog breeding licensing and recommend areas for improvement. This resulted in a number local and national recommendations.

Local recommendations:

• Undertake a thorough cost recovery exercise and review of fee setting to ensure that costs are accurately captured
• Improve the understanding of local vets on the requirements for licensed breeders by encouraging them to join the Buy With Confidence Scheme
• Improve public knowledge by further promoting the work of the Animal Welfare Team
• Explore options for introducing a compulsory scoring system for licensed breeders to improve consistency
• Increase resources within the Animal Health Team including considering the submission of a growth bid

The national recommendations set out ask Welsh Government to consider:

• Review the effectiveness of the Animal Licensing Wales team to ensure funding is being used in the best way
• Review fee setting criteria and consider including a portion of the cost of enforcing the licensing scheme
• Review the scope of legislation and restart the review of licensing conditions
• Investigate the need for a national group to assist and support dog breeders, similar to the Farmers’ Union
• Consider the introduction of a centralised microchip database
• Clamp down on illegal breeding by reviewing current information sharing arrangements including Animal Licensing Wales and introduce the compulsory registration of all puppies born
• Improve standards consistently by considering the implementation of a national scoring system and explore the use of additional enforcement tools for minor breaches such as Fixed Penalty Notices

Developed via a Task and Finish Group, the review was carried out through a series of meetings, thorough examination of existing policies and procedures, stakeholder consultations (including public consultation) and site visits to licensed breeders.

Chair of the Task and Finish Group, Cllr Kevin Madge said: “Thank you to the licensed breeders who welcomed the group to their premises, as well as to those members of the public who provided valuable feedback within the consultation exercise. This assistance was valuable in helping us to shape the recommendations laid out within the report, which we hope will now be carried forward to improve the dog breeding licensing function within Carmarthenshire.”

Cllr Aled Vaughan Owen: “Thank you to the Task and Finish Group for their excellent work in reviewing the Council’s dog breeding licensing function carried out by the Animal Welfare Team. This review has highlighted the excellent work and consistent results of a small team who play a crucial role in enforcing animal health and welfare legislation, protecting both animal welfare and legitimate breeders.”