Animal Welfare Act 2006

With puppy farming topical on Dogsey at the mo, just wondered if anyone is aware of the fact that the new Animal Welfare Bill has now become official (Nov 9th) and will be implemented over the next couple of years.

The complete paper -
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2006...0060045_en.pdf

Summary by DEFRA -
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welf.../secondary.htm

Sadly though, there are no specific references to puppy farming so this will remain a legal practice in the UK for the foreseeable future. There are new clauses that, IMO and probably that of most dog owners, would make the conditions that some breeding animals are kept in untenable -

(a) its need for a suitable environment,
(b) its need for a suitable diet,
(c) its need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns,
(d) any need it has to be housed with, or apart from, other animals, and
(e) its need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease.

but this is so open to interpretation and dependant on opinion, that it may barely make any improvements at all.

DEFRA seems to be of the opinion that the Kennel Club's recently devised Accredited Breeders Scheme will solve the problems of irresponsible and over breeding but, not surprisingly, this has been a heroic failure. The scheme is voluntary with very few breeders supporting it and how on earth this can be expected to address the problem of overbreeding of unregistered dogs is beyond me.

Accredited Breeders Scheme-
http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/203

It doesn't matter how many new acts or legislation the government bring out. If they don't put money into enforcement, it won't work. There's been legislation for decades that can protect animals but it's not done. It all boils down to money and what is a priority to the government

Its an absolute waste of time, one of our breeds biggest producers of puppies, massive numbers is an accredited breeder, and you dont even have to own a dog let alone have bred them!
Dawn.

Just noticed something else tragic about this. DEFRA set up the Geyhound Working Group to report back with recommendations for regulating the racing industry.

No report seems to have been forthcoming as there is nothing included in the Act on Greyhound racing. The Greyhound Working Group is dominated by members who have a vested interest in this industry.

http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welf...hwg_member.htm