Gower AM backs Welsh Labour Government’s commitment to driving up welfare standards for dogs

Assembly Member for Gower, Rebecca Evans AM, is backing a commitment by the Welsh Labour Government to improve welfare standards for dogs at breeding premises in Wales.
Welsh Labour’s Minister for the Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths has said she will act immediately to strengthen how the law is applied across Wales, re-confirming the Welsh Government will take forward Lucy’s Law and ban third party puppy and kitten sales.
 
This follows a review of the existing dog breeding regulations by the Wales Animal Health and Welfare Framework Group, which called for greater consistency in the inspection and enforcement of breeding regulations, a review of the licensing process, and the need for better welfare standards for all breeding dogs.
 
Rebecca Evans AM said: “Constituents regularly raise concern with me regarding the welfare standards for dogs, and I welcome the commitment made by the Welsh Labour Government to take further steps in this area. The combination of new regulations on pet sales and dedicated funding for enforcement and delivery of the breeding regulations will result in lasting improvements to the welfare standards of puppies bred in Wales.”
 
 NOTES:

1. To deliver improvements and consistency in the inspection and enforcement of the breeding regulations, which is undertaken by Local Authorities, a scoping project has been set up to determine what additional resource is needed.
2. Once completed, funding for a three year pilot scheme will be provided. This will enable expertise to be built through specialist training and upskilling of dedicated Local Authority staff.
3. The Welsh Government statement is available at: https://gov.wales/written-statement-animal-welfare-dog-breeding-wales-regulations-2014-review