Aontú Puppy Farm Bill Reaches 2nd Stage in the Dáil Today.
Speaking in advance of the 2nd stage Dáil debate on the Dog Breeding Establishments (Amendment) Bill 2021 or Aontú Puppy Farm Bill today. Aontú Leader and Meath West TD, Peadar Tóibín stated;
“This is a timely Bill from Aontú as we approach Christmas. Ireland is considered the Puppy Farm capital of Europe. As of 2016, there were 73 registered puppy farms in Ireland. In 2018, there were as many as 258 registered dog breeding establishments. Figures show these farms are capable of producing 30,000 puppies a year. Animal welfare organisations have warned that some puppy farms have up to 500 breeding animals at any time. What we see here is not what families normally see when they purchase a puppy from another family down the road who has a litter of pups. Some of these are industrial-scale breeding facilities. It is quite shocking. That is without even looking at the illegal puppy farm operations across the country, which the State is struggling to tackle”.
“In February 2021, the ISPCA took into care 60 dogs found on an illegal puppy farm in the midlands. In November 2020, 32 dogs were rescued from an illegal puppy farm in north Dublin with an estimated value of €150,000. That is what is happening when there isn’t the resources for enforcement. Due to poor conditions in some Puppy Farms, animals can develop serious illnesses and ailments which have long term health consequences. It’s important that there are proper regulations in place for the humane treatment of dogs in these facilities.”
“Our bill seeks to introduce a minimum standard for animals. Under the Aontú law Dogs must be kept in such a manner as to avoid unnecessary suffering. Dogs must receive treatment when necessary from a veterinary practitioner. Dogs must be permitted to exhibit their natural and normal behaviour and to have the company of other dogs where safe. The Aontú Bill increases the penalty for breaking the law in terms of Puppy Farms and amends the definition of “authorised person” in the Act to ensure those who are specifically appointed to fulfil this role have the ability and the resources to do so”.
Tóibín continued “This is the second animal rights bill that Aontú has now introduced in this Dáil. The Criminal Justice Bill 2020 was introduced at the end of last year to create a minimum 10 month prison sentence for those caught stealing family pets”
“Aontú is calling on other parties to support this bill to prevent the unnecessary suffering of animal” concluded Tóibín
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