ANIMAL BREEDING ESTABLISHMENTS (Hansard, 20 May 1969)

§ Mr. Peter Bessell (Bodmin)

I beg to move, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to control and license animal breeding establishments. I wish to make it clear from the outset that my Bill does not seek to impede or restrict the activities of any persons engaged in the important task of properly controlled dog breeding. We have the right to be proud of our reputation for breeding some of the finest strains of pedigree dogs in the world and it is my belief that the contribution by the many thousands of legitimate and conscientious breeders throughout the country will be considerably strengthened if the House sees fit to put my Bill on the Statute Book.

The reason I am concerned about the control of breeding establishments is that a number of persons and organisations, including qualified veterinary surgeons and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, have drawn my attention to the appalling conditions in a few areas of the country where it seems that some people are prepared to breed dogs quite indiscriminately without any thought to the necessity for maintaining healthy and happy conditions for these unfortunate animals, and who are prepared to tolerate conditions which are often so insanitary that they are a menace to the health not only of dogs or cats but of other animals which may accidentally come into contact with these establishments.

Of the large number of breeding establishments in the British Isles, most are run on satisfactory lines. The animals are well housed and cared for and the premises are clean and hygienic. It is not the responsible dog breeder who needs to be licensed but the irresponsible breeder whose activities must be controlled.

I have had evidence of scores of these filthy, insanitary establishments, but I must confine myself to mentioning the details of only a few. I take one in the West of England, where an establishment was found by a veterinary surgeon to contain about 70 dogs and 40 cats. These 253 were unattended at the time of his visit. No food or water was in evidence. Some of the dogs were locked in a disused truck. Others were in packing cases. The rest were penned up in insanitary conditions of one sort or another.

Secondly, in the Midlands an establishment has been reported to me where a great dane, several young spaniels and poodles were kept together in two small rooms littered with their excrement. Thirdly, nearer London, a large number of dogs of mixed breeds were found in a filthy outdoor shack, and the owner could not state how many animals were on the premises. Once again, conditions were appalling.

From West Wales, I have received evidence of premises where dogs are kept in conditions where rain and bad weather caused them to paddle around in mud and water, including their own urine and excrement.

In another case about 80 dogs were kept in a house inhabited by people, and the walls of the living rooms were seen to be wet with urine. A sort of tide-mark had developed at a level about 18 inches from the ground. The whole place reeked, and rotting remains of animal carcases, including a lamb, were found in the building, and it was from this relic that the dogs were being fed.

In an article which appeared in the Western Mail, Cardiff, on 10th January, 1969, headed "Pin-money from Puppies", the writer stated: Over the past five years or so the number of amateur dog breeders in Wales has increased enormously. As one of the most popular 'pin-money spinners' this craze has been taken up by farmers' wives and other country women. The article went on: The initial outlay spent on one good pedigree hitch can be repaid four-fold by the first year's work. Many other articles have appeared in reputable newspapers drawing attention to this increase in dog and cat breeding. I accept that in the majority of cases conditions are good, but this increasing trade inevitably attracts less responsible persons. My Bill would seek to permit any person to keep a breeding establishment provided that he obtained from the local authority a licence to do so. The fee for a licence would not exceed 10s. per annum and it would be granted to the person making application provided 254 that the local authority were satisfied on a number of points.

I will outline them. First, that animals will at all times be kept in accommodation suitable as respects construction, size of quarters, number of occupants, exercising facilities, temperature, lighting, ventilation and cleanliness. Secondly, that animals will be adequately supplied with suitable food, drink and bedding material, adequately exercised and, as far as necessary, visited at suitable intervals. Thirdly, that all reasonable precautions will be taken to prevent and control the spread among animals of infectious or contagious diseases. Fourthly, that appropriate steps will be taken for the protection of the animals in case of fire or other emergency. The right of appeal would be provided for, as well as the right of transfer of the licence to the executors of the person to whom it is issued.

Under Clause 2, the local authority could authorise in writing any of its officers or any veterinary surgeon or veterinary practitioner to visit the premises in respect of which a licence has been granted for the purpose of ascertaining whether an offence has been committed under the terms under which the licence was granted.

Under Clause 3, any person found guilty of an offence would be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £50 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months.

Under Clause 5, I seek to define a breeding establishment as any place, including a private house, used for the business of breeding animals with a view to their being sold for profit and where more than four dogs or cats are kept for the specific purpose of breeding.

As a nation, we are justly proud of being sensitive to the needs of all domestic animals. We abominate any form of needless cruelty. Alas, there is a small minority willing and ready for the sake of profit to ignore these principles and to permit defenceless creatures to suffer. The spread of disease, the risk of diluting well-established strains and breeds of dogs and cats, and the demand by almost everyone to whom I have spoken about this matter for proper control of what has become an industry, is such that I am confident that the House will support me and permit me to introduce my Bill.

255 If so, it is my earnest hope that even at this late stage in the Session the Government will allow the very brief amount of time which is necessary for the remaining stages, including a Second Reading debate.

I make no secret of the fact that I have based by Bill upon the Animal Boarding Establishments Act, 1963, Except for a few minor changes, it is virtually a carbon copy of that Act, the effect being to bring under the control of local authorities the establishments where dogs are bred in the same way as those in which they are boarded.