LMAO - brilliant reply!!!!!

On a more serious note, a vet has to complete a drawing of a horse, noting its markings - this is then sent to the passport agency.

To answer another question further up - then yes, without doubt there would be a cost for change of ownership.

Regarding the cost of breeding and adding the cost of a passport which would reduce profit - isn't that what everyone is trying to acheive? Reduce the amount of breeding in this country?

So if what you say is correct - you have just shown that passporting dogs could help reduce numbers

The cost would just be passed on to the puppy buyer or they won't bother as the chances of being caught will be next to nothing.

I was once an active advocator of the license similar to the horse passport but my experience has since made me realise it is a money making exercise and will do little to help with our dog problems.

All we need is traceability and accountability.

It does not need to be expensive or complicated.

Of course the cost would be passed on to the purchaser therefore making breeding less profitable - a win win situation

But someone further up said that the majority of people are responsible owners therefore the majority of breeding would be affected by passporting.

Undoubtedly some will slip through the net but at least this would be a very small minority and make breeding less attractive to the majority.

Again some people are worried about the cost but its just like the rise in fuel costs - its something you get used to and budget for.

If someone cannot afford an extra £30 on top of the cost of a puppy - should they really be purchasing a puppy in the first place?

not in my view, get rid of the puppy farmers and the people that breed to get themselves a holiday or thier bitch spayed, not respoonsible breeders who invest time, money, effort and care into their chosen breed, no.
Its about how much cost is reasonable for new puppy and dog owners plus rescues, not so much the profit and loss of a hobby breeder.

So how would you implement this?

But surely, these are the very people who would champion responsible ownership and welcome some sort of legislation to regulate it.

Its not always about what they can initially afford. Peoples circumstances change....not only that but the point is - what are they getting for thier money? A slip of paper to tell them they have paid to tell someone of the dog they own? Could write it themselves for 20p worth of paper and ink.

How EXACTLY do you think that licensing will improve the lives of dogs up and down the country?
And WHAT EXACTLY will the people handing over their hard earned cash get in return for it? (bearing in mind that the people who dont care and break existing laws will only continue to do so and not give a second thought to getting a license)

OK - to summarise then .....

Most of you think that a license is cost prohibitive and therefore not viable.

Also most of you think that a passport is cost prohibitive and reduces the profit of breeders (responsible ones or otherwise)

So in that vein...... any legislation that was brought out to encourage responsible ownership is bound to carry a price.

Should we therefore forget about it then? Keep the status quo and moan about the current situation of an over population of dogs, overflowing rescue homes and idiot owners - what would you propose to change this?

How would you implement it and how would you negate any costs?


ETA: Calm down Dobermann! Its only a discussion!

surely they already pay enough tax to consider legislation being put in place, even current legislation being enforced without having to pay again for something that will have no bearing on on the numbers or irresponsible owners....