30 June 2023
Will proposed new laws help to improve the health and welfare of dogs? This is just one of the questions being asked by the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Affairs and Islands Committee as it considers the Welfare of Dogs (Scotland) Bill.
Introduced by Christine Grahame MSP, the Bill would introduce a code of practice for people buying, selling or giving away a dog. It would also give the Scottish Ministers the power to introduce a register of puppies born in Scotland, something which the Bill hopes will put a stop to so-called puppy farms.
Now the Committee wants to hear from dog owners, breeders and the general public about whether these measures would work.
Speaking as the Committee launched its call for views, Committee Convener Finlay Carson MSP said:
“Scotland is undoubtedly a nation of dog lovers and the love and companionship that they provide can help both our physical and mental health and wellbeing.
“But dog ownership brings responsibilities, as well as rewards. Unprepared owners can have an impact on the health of dogs, and many are not ready for the challenges or the costs of owning them. This Bill aims to encourage greater awareness of these responsibilities before someone gets a dog by introducing a code of practice for buyers and sellers alike.
“It is also clear that some people will put profit above the welfare of dogs, leading to unhealthy breeding practices. The Bill hopes to address this issue by giving Scottish Ministers the power to make people register all puppy litters, which it is hoped, would help to stop puppy farming.
“Now we want to hear from dog owners, breeders and the general public with an interest in the welfare of dogs about whether they think this Bill would really make a difference.”
Questions the Committee is keen to ask include, for example;
The call for views is open until 11 August 2023.
You can choose between responding via a general public questionnaire on the main proposals in the Bill or a stakeholder survey asking for more detailed comments on the specific legislative proposals.
The Welfare of Dogs (Scotland) Bill was introduced by Christine Grahame on 20 June. According to the Bill’s policy memorandum it is aims to:
“Improve the health and wellbeing of dogs throughout their lives, by establishing a more responsible and informed approach to acquiring and owning a dog; and by making provision for the regulation of the selling or transferring of puppies from unlicensed litters.”
Further information on the Welfare of Dogs (Scotland) Bill
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