Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones visited Dogs Trust rehoming centre in Bridgend Wednesday 20 January.
Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones visited Dogs Trust rehoming centre in Bridgend last Wednesday. She was given a tour of the centre’s kennels before a meeting to discuss progress on a range of animal welfare issues.
In November 2009, the Minister announced a review of the licensing and regulation of dog breeding in Wales. A task and finish group to review existing guidance has since been established and holds its first meeting on Thursday 21 January.
The Minister has also asked for the compulsory microchipping of dogs to be considered, and has announced her intention to completely ban the use of electronic training devices, such as electric shock collars, in Wales.
Elin Jones said:
“I am committed to raising the standards of welfare for dogs in Wales, and am determined to take action to tackle bad practice in the dog breeding industry.
“While the breeding of dogs for sale is a legal and legitimate trade, the production of puppies on a commercial scale with little or no consideration of welfare issues, is unacceptable.
“The task and finish group set up to review existing guidance on the licensing of dog breeding establishments meets for the first time tomorrow, and I will be asking them for recommendations on legislation and enforcement.
“Dogs Trust and others have been calling on Government to introduce compulsory microchipping of dogs to improve identification and traceability. I will be encouraging voluntary microchipping while also considering the need to make microchipping compulsory.”
