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Post by Think Pigeon on Mar 28, 2012 7:13:12 GMT
Thanks Susie. It's great to know we've got good people at the helm. Gutted I can't make Sunday but will be in Paris with Geordie Mam. Hope it goes brilliantly. Know it will! xx
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Post by nuggie on Apr 14, 2012 21:16:26 GMT
Below is a draft response on behalf of FCDH there will probably be additions or changes to follow but this will give you an insight to our thoughts.:_
Re Draft Regulations on Breeding of Dogs Friends of Cardiff Dogs Home (FCDH) is a relatively new group endeavouring to enhance the lives of dogs who unfortunately find themselves in the Home. FCDH has the following aims: To raise funds to improve facilities at the Home. Promote and raise awareness of the Dogs Home with special regard to responsible dog ownership, animal welfare, and dogs looking for homes. FCDH work in partnership with Cardiff Council, local societies and other animal welfare organisations or charities. Having laid out the aims of FCDH above you will understand that the Proposed Dog Breeding Regulations are of great importance to FCDH. Accordingly, below is the response of FCDH to the draft Regulations which are put to you for consideration: 1) The ratio of 1 full time worker to 30 dogs is too high. In 2009 the Minister for Rural Affairs set up a Task and Finish Group. In that Report it was recommended as 1 full time worker to 20 dogs. How can another 10 dogs per worker be beneficial to the dogs’ welfare? While FCDH hold that there should be no greater ratio than 1 full time worker to 10 dogs and when bitches are in whelp the ratio should be 1 worker to 5 bitches FCDH would reluctantly accept a max ratio of 1 to 20 but feel a compromise of 1 to 15 be considered.
2) In respect of Enhancement, Enrichment, and Socialisation, FDCH disagree that the licence applicant should make a written plan to the authority on how this will be implemented. The Welsh Government should lay down a programme which all applicants and authorities should legally comply with, hence ensuring standardisation throughout the country.
3) Health: At licence application and renewal, a veterinary inspection should be made by an independent vet, not one with whom the applicant is registered. 4) A retirement programme should be in place for dogs and bitches stating where and when the retired will go. (Stating the maximum number of years they are kept as breeding dogs this includes stud dogs).
5) The number of litters a bitch should produce limited to 4
6) The establishment should be attended 24hrs a day.
7) The Regulations do not limit the number of licences an applicant can hold, hence the current draft would allow licence holding agents working on behalf of farm owners. As presently written, many breeders would be exempt from licensing as they are wholesalers and do not advertise from the premises.
8) Licensing Inspection should be carried out by Officers trained in canine welfare and hold qualifications specific to mental welfare and health issues.
9) At the present time, when an establishment applies for planning consent to the local authority, no consideration is taken with regards to the dogs’ welfare. This omission should now be rectified as welfare is of paramount importance.
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Post by nuggie on Apr 29, 2012 17:08:19 GMT
The consultation period on the draft proposals end on the 23rd May. So not much more time available to get your letters in. Please write you can make a differnce. Lots of info to help you on this thread and the CARIAD thread.
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Post by carol on Apr 29, 2012 17:35:50 GMT
The consultation period on the draft proposals end on the 23rd May. So not much more time available to get your letters in. Please write you can make a differnce. Lots of info to help you on this thread and the CARIAD thread. nearly finished my letter
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Post by nuggie on Jan 25, 2013 21:19:33 GMT
The legislation was due Oct 2012, like mant things it is running late. I think the Welsh Gov need to know we have not forgotten and are still waiting. Please once again put pressure on the Welsh Government by e mailing The Minister Mr John Griffiths. No need for a long e mail eg Dear Mr Griffiths,
You promised that the above Legislation would be produced by Oct 2012. Could you please inform me when this legislation will be in force. While we are waiting puppy farm dogs are still living a life of hell. Please help these dogs and clamp down on the the so called legitimate breeders who consider puppy farming ''farming diversity''. Your bill might not solve the problem but it might help.
Only takes a few minutes
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Post by nuggie on Feb 15, 2013 10:22:56 GMT
Received a letter from Welsh Government this morning stating that the draft Dog Breeding Regulations will be debated before the Assembly on 7th May 2013.
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Post by nuggie on Aug 28, 2013 10:15:11 GMT
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Post by nuggie on Dec 20, 2013 21:56:27 GMT
Following the 3rd Consultation on New Dog Breeding Regulations the Minister has made a Statement dated today ( Thanks Carol for the info ) The link is here wales.gov.uk/about/cabinet/cabinetstatements/2013/8318858/?lang=en In Brief the Welsh Gov are going with a min ratio of staff to adult dog of 1 to 20. There was strong feedback to the consultation that local authorities should have the flexibility of setting a ratio above the minimum dependant on conditions in establishments. Please read the Statement it is not long.
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Post by nuggie on Dec 24, 2013 15:40:09 GMT
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Post by nuggie on Dec 31, 2013 10:11:52 GMT
Below is a quote from Puppy Love News letter re the Welsh Gov Dog breeding Regs
We are so disappointed, it seems serious commitment to improve the situation is sadly lacking among those in power in Wales.
There will be no money available for enforcement of new legislation and its obvious the WAG have no wish to upset the farming community, some of the worst offenders in Wales.
In years to come when puppy farming is seen as the barbaric practise it is, we hope the Welsh government will remember the role they played in the cruelty and hang their heads in shame.
Companion animals should not be bred in factory farms, no ifs, ands or buts.
I fully agree with the above statement. After 3 years of deliberation the Welsh Gov are producing regs that haven't any teeth. If there isn't any money for enforcement the puppy farmers will continue in their old ways. I have written to my AM stressing my disappointment in WAG's failure to produce Regs that will make a difference to the dreadfull lives of the dogs in these factories.
Please note my posts on these threads are for general info and are my personal opinions .
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Post by Baglady on Dec 31, 2013 12:12:04 GMT
I don't understand Bern Are they saying that the new regulations will become law, but no-one is going to enforce them? At all? After all this time, the protracted consultations, is nothing going to change? That would be a travesty
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Post by nuggie on Dec 31, 2013 19:51:55 GMT
I don't understand Bern Are they saying that the new regulations will become law, but no-one is going to enforce them? At all? After all this time, the protracted consultations, is nothing going to change? That would be a travesty The question re enforcement has been asked by Puppy Love and CARIAD in fact a big part of CARIAD's response was about enforcing the regs and how they would be standardised across the authorities knowing how some authorities have operated in the past. I cannot say for sure that they won't be enforced, we will have to wait and see how strong these regs actually are. CARIAD wanted ''Regs Of Steel'' I doubt if that will be the case, ( my opinion only ) The travesty is that the minister has gone with 1 attendant to 20 adult dogs with puppies excluded that to me means there will be little or no change in the living and care conditions of dogs in large breeding establishments ( that is a polite way of saying puppy factories )
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Post by Baglady on Dec 31, 2013 22:30:15 GMT
I noticed that some of the wording was a bit ambiguous Following careful analysis of the evidence received, it is my intention to proceed with a minimum staff to adult dog ratio of 1 to 20. This will act as a benchmark for Local Authority Licensing Officers to determine the most appropriate ratio for individual premises based on critical factors such as breed, litter size, nature of premises and breeding programmes.Does 'benchmark' mean they can exceed 1:20 or is he saying the minimum ratio is 1:20? It will be so disappointing if nothing changes, after all the hard work that CARIAD & Puppy Love have done over the past few years.
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Post by nuggie on Jan 1, 2014 9:44:01 GMT
He is saying minimum and Inspectors can insist on more attendants dependant on conditions and to me and many others that is a problem. What are conditions? What are litter sizes? and will each Inspector have the same criteria. I feel it is a complete and utter lash up. If much changes I will be surprised.
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Post by nuggie on Jul 1, 2014 18:13:41 GMT
Please write to your AM re the folowing on the CARIAD proforma
Dear (A.M.) I am pleased that the new Breeding of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2014 have now been laid before the Assembly. These have been a very long time coming and are greatly needed to advance the welfare of dogs kept for breeding in Wales. Wales has long had the unenviable reputation of the puppy farming centre of the United Kingdom. Breeding operations with large numbers of dogs kept almost permanently confined, with minimal exercise and lack of veterinary care have been widely documented particularly in certain areas of Wales. It is about time the welfare of the breeding dogs and their puppies was properly protected. Current regulations have failed to do so. I would strongly encourage you to vote to support these Regulations as now proposed when they are debated in Plenary at the Senedd on the 15th July. They contain important provisions that puppies should be properly socialised, that breeding dogs should have adequate exercise and enrichment and that all such dogs be micro-chipped. The expectation that local authorities will follow Guidance associated with the Regulations is also valuable. It is essential, of course, that dogs kept for breeding have proper care and adequate staff to do so. It is proposed that, at minimum, there should be one member of staff to every 20 adult dogs. This is certainly less than ideal but so many commercial dog breeders in Wales at the moment are kept with levels of staffing well below this. The ratio is hopefully a step in the right direction, as long as licensing officials do ensure that it is just that – the absolute minimum that may be allowed. I am hopeful that the introduction of these Regulations will set new expectations of higher welfare standards for dog breeding in Wales. It is essential we do so as far too many breeding dogs have suffered, and far too many unsocialised and poorly puppies have been sold to purchasers who have a right to expect better. Your constituent, (Enter name) (Enter address – it is important the A.M. sees you are their constituent)
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