DOG BREEDING
References
Breeding of Dogs Act 1973
Breeding of Dogs Act 1991
Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 1999
Scope
A person keeping a breeding establishment for dogs is required to hold a licence issued by the Local Authority.
A breeding establishment for dogs is defined as:
"..any premises which carries on a business of breeding dogs for sale"
How to apply
Applications to the local authority must specify the premises concerned. Application forms are available from this office (Tel: 01403 215402) and a fee as determined by the local authority is payable.
Matters for consideration in deciding whether or not to grant a licence the local authority must have regard to the following matters:
- that the dogs will at all times be kept in accommodation suitable as respects construction, size of quarters, number of occupants, exercising facilities, temperature, lighting, ventilation and cleanliness;
- that the dogs will be adequately supplied with suitable food, drink and bedding material, adequately exercised, and visited at suitable intervals;
- that all reasonable precautions will be taken to prevent and control the spread among dogs of infectious or contagious diseases;
- that appropriate steps will be taken for the protection of the dogs in case of fire or other emergency;
- that all steps will be taken to secure that the dogs will be provided with suitable food, drink and bedding material and adequately exercised when being transported to or from breeding establishments.
- that bitches are not mated if they are less than one year old;
- that bitches do not give birth to more than six litters of puppies each;
- that bitches do not give birth to puppies before the end of the twelve months beginning with the day on which they last gave birth to puppies; and
- that accurate records in a form prescribed by regulations are kept at the premises and made available for inspection by authorised officers
Licences
Licences operate annually between 1st January and 31st December.
Licenses can be applied for part way through the year and in such cases the licence will cover the rest of the year until 31st December.
Breeding establishments can only operate once in receipt of a valid licence,
On the death of a licence holder, licences pass to his/her personal representative for a period of 3 months from the day of his death and then expire.
Conditions
On granting a licence the local authority must specify such conditions as appear necessary or expedient to achieve the objectives (a)-(i) above as specified in the legislation.
Guidance and model conditions for dog breeding establishments have been issued jointly by:
- British Veterinary Association.
- Chartered Institute of Environmental Health
- Local Government Association
These model conditions have been adopted by Horsham District Council
Disqualification and cancellation
In the case of a successful conviction for offences under this Act, a Court can order the cancellation of the licence and disqualify the convicted person from keeping a Breeding Establishment, and impose imprisonment for a period of three months and fines not exceeding level 3, as it sees fit.
Power of Entry
Local Authority Officers, Veterinary Surgeons or Practitioners authorised in writing by the Local Authority may, upon producing such authorisation, enter any licensed Dog Breeding Establishment for purposes of carrying out an inspection.
Persons wilfully obstructing or delaying authorised officers are liable on conviction to a fine of level 3.
Power of Entry to premises suspected of operating without a licence may be obtained by applying to a Justice of the Peace for a Warrant to enter that establishment.