Laws to protect animals from cruel breeding practices not working, says Kennel Club

The breeding of puppies, kittens and bunnies does not have enough regulation. (Getty)
The breeding of puppies, kittens and bunnies does not have enough regulation. (Getty)

Current legislation to protect puppies from cruel breeding practices is not working, according to the UK’s leading dog welfare organisation.

The Kennel Club warned that current laws are too complex and are not being enforced properly.

Rules changed in Wales in 2015 and in England last year, reducing the breeding threshold from five to three litters a year.

If a person is selling at least one puppy in a 12 month period, they will require a dog breeding licence and will need to have their premises inspected by their local authority.

These puppies were found at the home of a gang member involved in a puppy farm scam that sold thousands of sick and dying animals to unwitting owners. (PA)
These puppies were found at the home of a gang member involved in a puppy farm scam that sold thousands of sick and dying animals to unwitting owners. (PA)

Holly Conway, head of public affairs at the Kennel Club, told Yahoo News UK: “When Wales updated breeding regulations in 2015, we expected to see a threefold increase in licences being issued but this has not been the case.

“The regulations, whilst welcomed, have not been adequately enforced.

“No additional resources have been provided to local authorities to assist them with an increased workload as a result of having to licence more breeders.

“And the over-complication of the laws in England has caused confusion for breeders and local authorities alike.”

A Kennel Club survey last year found that one in five people suspect their puppy could have come from a puppy farm, and 33% are not confident that they could spot the signs that a puppy had been bred by a responsible breeder.

In December the Government announced a ban on sales of animals from third parties, meaning pet owners will need to buy directly from a breeder or adopt from a rehoming centre, to ‘bring to an end the terrible welfare conditions found in puppy farming’.

Known as Lucy’s Law, the legislation seeks to outlaw practices like taking puppies and kittens away from their parents too early and keeping them in cramped, unsuitable conditions.

Cats are potentially more at risk of coming from rogue breeders as there are no laws that regulate their breeding. (Getty)
Cats are potentially more at risk of coming from rogue breeders as there are no laws that regulate their breeding. (Getty)

The annual market for puppies in the UK is thought to be worth between £100 million and £300 million.

While dogs are protected under UK law, cats and rabbits do not have their own legislation and their breeding is completely unregulated.

This increases the risk of animals being bought from rogue breeders.