For those that are following the new Welsh Dog Breeding legislation here is another consultation paper with an opportunity to comment.  I will voice my thoughts later, a hectic day cannot think straight.

http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/environmentandcountryside/breedingdogs/;jsessionid=rBn1TwBQLgXZFwJ8W3qgK1tbW7T5NN9C1KvThJ2z5s0nq2PvVjhq!-1658114170?lang=en

First thing I noticed in particular ,I see instead of 1 person to 20 dogs , (my personal guide line as I found that works well in the boarding kennels , to adequately , clean , feed , groom , exercise etc )  it is now 1 to 30 dogs , but the local authority can lower it if they see fit .

What are the main issues?
* Whilst the breeding of dogs for* commercial gain* is a legitimate business
the welfare requirements of the breeding dogs and their offspring are of
paramount importance. Welfare concerns have been raised about "puppy
farms" since Wales took on powers to deal with pet welfare in March 2007,
with the coming into force of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Pat , my main issue is 1. Breeding of dogs SHOULD NOT BE FOR COMMERCIAL GAIN.

''Numerous reports, both written and video recorded, suggested **some dog
breeders were keeping their animals in cramped conditions with little or no
provision for their behavioural or environmental needs.** A special project
carried out by Pembrokeshire and submitted as part of the Companion
Animal Welfare Enhancement Scheme (CAWES) identified gaps between
the welfare standards required by the Breeding of Dogs Act 1973 and the
Animal Welfare Act 2006.''
2. We know who the main offenders of that are ...why don't they just state it.

''The implementation of statutory guidance of which local authorities shall
have regard (see Schedule 1 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006).''
3.The local authorities already have 'regard' They are part of the problem.

''Regulation 7 - change to the licensing period to 1 year. This was set
at a maximum of three years, but there was considerable support
for an annual licensing process''.
4.Still checked by the same authority though , but now getting an annual fee ...someone worked that one out right !

URGENT! TODAY A MAJOR STORY WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN BROKEN IN THE CARMARTHEN JOURNAL ABOUT A LARGE PUPPY FARM APPLICATION. IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ON THE FRONT PAGE. IT ISN'T EVEN IN THE PAPER! THEY SENT A PHOTOGRAPHER TO COVER THE CAGE ROLL. IT TOO WAS SUPPOSED TO BE IN THE PAPER. IT ISN'T.

The puppy farm story is unreal. It's about retrospective plans for dog breeding kennels near St. Clears. The application to continue to use three outbuildings on the sheep farm , by EM Roberts, of Penparc, Llangynin, has been submitted through agents Owen Banks (same as Beili Bedw) Planning & Development Ltd.

The building has been used as a kennels since 2006. The 750 sheep farm has 107 breeding bitches and 17 stud dogs. It is stated there are no direct sales to the public, with trade on a wholesale basis and transportation taking place once a fortnight. As well as the applicant, two part-time workers are employed on the site, with the current 12 month licence running until August 2012.

This puppy farm has been licensed for FIVE YEARS without the planning department at Carmarthenshire Council having given them planning permission!!! It almost beggars belief.

When the Carmarthenshire Journal rang me for a quote I gave them one. As did Puppy Love Campaigns. As did Puppy Alert. And yet today we find there is no mention.

The reason? This application is being heard on 5th January!!!! So, they are clearly hoping it will just sail through without any fuss from the public. Perhaps, as with Beili Bedw it's all about who you know in the Council. Perhaps the paper has been told to keep quiet. We'll never know the truth. But we must act NOW so that they can't say that no objections were received.

PLEASE, email the planning department at Carmarthenshire Council TODAY and let them know that you object to this planning application, and that you are appalled that this serious breach could have been carrying on for 5 years without being noticed until now. Do the Planning Department and the Licensing Department not speak to each other, don't they cross reference? How many more cases like this must exist given the seriousness of this one?

We need to get as many objections into the Council this week before the Christmas break. PLEASE SHARE WITH ALL ANTI PUPPY FARM GROUPS!

planning@carmarthenshire.gov.uk

Application number
W/25841

> First thing I noticed in particular ,I see instead of 1 person to 20 dogs , (my personal guide line as I found that works well in the boarding kennels , to adequately , clean , feed , groom , exercise etc ) 

and as anyone who has ever bred a litter knows a bitch and litter of pups is far more time consuming than looking after adult kennelled dogs who only need feeding 1 - 2 times a day and probably cleaning runs twice a day, with say 1 hour for exercising.

So the number of staff to dog ration needs to be higher than 1 to  20 for breeding bitches.

I have had two litters at the same time, and it is constant time consuming just to look after the two litters and get one hours dog walking in and clean up etc after the other 4 adults.  No looking to have any more until I get over it, LOL

Totally agree with Stevensonsign  -- pointless while implementation left with the councils .

Have read right through now and can find NOTHING requiring/compelling the councils to ensure that licensed breeders comply both with the license and the animal welfare act.   There's also NOTHING compelling the breeder to comply with their license or the animal welfare act.

It's all "should" do this and "should" do that  - not MUST -  In law there is a HUGE difference between should and must  where prosecutions rest on wording this is a loophole looking for a weasel.

This is all about making the public think lots has been done, whilst actually doing little or even less - 1 person to look after and exercise and CARE Properly for 30 dogs?  On what planet is this even possible?

Expensive and POINTLESS exercise in public relations

Edited to add
I note they mention expected/projected costs to the breeder.   In this is mentioned the cost of vaccinating adult dogs at £15 per dog per year.   Can anyone tell me where the cost of vaccinating adult dogs is £15?   because I live in Wales and it hasn't been that price for about 20 years here!

> In this is mentioned the cost of vaccinating adult dogs at £15 per dog per year

Breeder's discount? bringing in cheap vaccines from overseas? NOT BOTHERING AT ALL??
I apologise for repeating what I've already written on another thread but it's perfectly apt -

> I don't think that mentions love and comfort.

It does mention necessary veterinary treatment, exercise, freedom to express normal behaviour and a clean environment. You only have to look at some of the ex breeding bitches (and sick unsaleable puppies) coming into rescue from puppy farms such as Many Tears to know those needs are NOT being met.

MT only states dogs as coming from a "breeder" where they were "no longer wanted" or "couldn't be sold". I get a bit itchy about that as it's tarring all with one brush, but their input is clearly PF and you would have no doubts if you saw the photos of these dogs in such terrible condition. One on their website I saw yesterday had both cataracts and a huge glaucomous eye... And her last puppies are probably on sale in a pet shop right now. They all look so absolutely worn out and hopeless, with huge sagging undercarriage and just an air of despair... or worse, the same look of prisoners of war.

I can't believe the RSPCA wants to chase people who breed dogs compassionately, yet steadfastly ignores those who keep dogs in conditions like this reducing them to these worn out, useless, hopeless, joyless shells: it makes me feel quite sick.

>I can't believe the RSPCA wants to chase people who breed dogs compassionately, yet steadfastly ignores those who keep dogs in conditions >like this reducing them to these worn out, useless, hopeless, joyless shells: it makes me feel quite sick.

ABSOLUTELY!

Sorry I am putting the link to the Welsh Assembly Government consultations page on again as I was notified that the one placed on their website originally was not correct and assured this one now is.
http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/environmentandcountryside/breedingdogs/?lang=en

for a start the definition of a breeding bitch or stud dog as being any dog over 6 months and a puppy being under 6 months is wrong.

Most bitches are not even capable of breeding that young.

Anyone breeding wihtin the kennel club regualtions would not be allowed to register a litter from a bitch less than 12 months old at time of mating, and in msot breeds it would be considered unethical to breed from any bitch under 18 months old and more usually 2 years old.

As Hip Scoring (which is applicable to all breeds) cannot be carried out until over 12 months of age.

Most of us who show and breed occasionally are likely to fall foul of the three breeding bitches rule if that is the basis of establishing it, even if don't fall foul of the three litters in 12 months, which could be three - 6 Toy pups.