Karma is karma baby!

RIP St Bs x

That's a very good question.

Why did the presence of 100 St. Bernards not alert those who conducted the annual licensing inspection as to the possibility of breeding?

Now, I'm not one for throwing round wild accusations, but perhaps someone got handed a weeks wages in one day in order to not notice things

is it possible these dogs have been removed due to a problem with the license?

At the time I don't think anyone knew about the licence (or lack of), certainly those involved at the time (police & RSPCA) wouldn't have known about the need for 2 seperate licences.

Anyone heard any more about this? hows the dogs? is the KC a bit red round the gills over the whole sorry licenceless affair?

No I dont see why the the lack of licence would affect the kennel club, tbh.. you have to have a licence if you breed over four litters a year, but you can become an AB without breeding that many litters, hence you wouldnt need a licence

here is a list of requirements needed to become an AB..



Accredited Breeders must:
Ensure that all breeding stock is Kennel Club registered.
Hand over the dog's registration certificate at time of sale if available, or forward it to the new owner as soon as possible. Explain any endorsements that might pertain and obtain written and signed confirmation from the new owner, at or before the date on which the dog is physically transferred, that the new owner is aware of the endorsement(s), regardless of whether or not the endorsed registration certificate is available.

• Follow Kennel Club policy regarding maximum age and number/frequency of litters
• Permanently identify breeding stock by DNA profile, microchip, or tattoo
• Make use of health screening schemes, relevant to their breed, on all breeding stock. These schemes include DNA testing, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and inherited eye conditions
• Socialise the puppies and provide written advice, in the Puppy Sales Wallet, on continuation of socialisation, exercise and future training
• Provide written advice, in the scheme Puppy Sales Wallet, on feeding and worming programmes
• Provide a written record, in the Puppy Sales Wallet, on the immunisation measures taken
• Provide reasonable post-sales telephone advice
• Inform buyers of the requirements and the recommendations that apply to Kennel Club Accredited Breeders as well as the existence of the complaints procedure
• Draw up a contract of sale for each puppy and provide a copy in the Puppy Sales Wallet.

In addition there are a number of recommendations
Accredited Breeders are strongly encouraged to:

• Make sure that whelping facilities accord with good practice
• The contract of sale should clearly lay out to the buyer the nature and details of any guarantee given (e.g. time limit) and/or any provisions for refund or return and replacement of puppy. If endorsements are being used the contract should also explain why these have been placed and under what circumstances they would be removed (if any). The contract should be signed and dated by both breeder and purchaser, showing that both have agreed to these terms
• Commit to help, if necessary, with the re-homing of a dog, for whatever reason, throughout the dog's lifetime
• Follow relevant breed health screening recommendations.

Whilst it is convenient for many (including many LAs) to make that interpretation it is not correct.

The BDA sets the criteria for licensing as the conducting of a "business of breeding dogs". It is true that the Act contains an automatic presumption of business activity at five litters but it does not preclude more modest businesses from being licensed. To put it blunty - if you breed for profit you should be licensed

As far as the ABS I think this episode shows it (once again) wholly inadequate. If breeders can be accredited without fullfilling even the most basic legal requirements...


Edit: No the dogs were not removed because of licensing issues. I don't know but I guess that since the RSPCA did the removing it would be on welfare grounds. I do know that the LA was not aware of the RSPCA action until afterwards hence the RSPCA wouldn't have known the licensing status.

I'm just going by what has been reported, there were as many puppies recovered as adult dogs, so that would make about 40-50 puppies which is more than 4 litters but there was no licence, so in my mind, she was illegally breeding, PLUS theres the Heezedoorn thing earlier this year, it would appear puppies have been sold with a fake pedigree. Taking that into consideration, being an 'Accredited Breeder' doesn't really stand for much does it

so my question is... is there anywhere in the KC ABS that says you must be licenced?

not really, hence I havent bothered to join the ABS.