(3) The prospective acquirer (or a person acting on that person’s behalf) and the prospective supplier are (unless this is not practicable) to meet in person before reaching any agreement to sell or transfer the dog from one to the other. 3 Content of code: in relation to sale or transfer of young dog by first owner 25 (1) This section applies in relation to the sale or transfer of a dog if— (a) the dog is aged less than 12 months, and (b) the prospective supplier is the first owner of the litter of puppies from which the dog comes. (2) The dog is not to be sold or transferred if it is aged less than 8 weeks. 30 (3) Before acquiring the dog, the prospective acquirer is (unless this is not practicable) to see the dog with the bitch which gave birth to it. (4) Before acquiring the dog, the prospective acquirer is to— (a) become familiar with circumstances in which the activity of supplying a dog aged less than 12 months would require— 35 (i) a licence or registration under regulations made under section 27(1) or (2) of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006, or (ii) registration under regulations made under Part 2 of this Act, and (b) if it appears that any such circumstances may be applicable in relation to the supply of the dog, take all reasonable steps to establish that the licence or 40 registration (as the case may be) is in place. 3 Welfare of Dogs (Scotland) Bill Part 1—Promotion of good practice 4 Content of code: certificate (1) This section applies in relation to the sale or transfer of a dog of any age. (2) Before acquiring the dog, the prospective acquirer is to complete a certificate relating to the matters mentioned in subsection (4) which the prospective acquirer and the 5 prospective supplier are then to sign. (3) The code of practice must prescribe the form of the certificate. (4) The certificate must— (a) require the prospective acquirer to confirm that they have asked themself the questions in section 2(2) and have answered them in the affirmative, 10 (b) if section 3 applies, require the prospective acquirer to— 1 (i) confirm that they have checked with the prospective supplier and believe the dog is at least 8 weeks of age, and (ii) confirm that they have complied with section 3(3) and (4), (c) require the prospective acquirer to confirm that they understand the requirements 15 of subsection (5), (d) include the name and address of the prospective acquirer and the prospective supplier, and (e) include any other matter the Scottish Ministers consider appropriate. (5) The certificate is to be— 20 (a) kept during the period of ownership of the dog, and (b) shown to a police officer or inspector in response to any reasonable request to see it. 5 Revision of code (1) The Scottish Ministers may revise the code of practice as it has effect for the time being. 25 (2) But the Scottish Ministers may not revise the code in a way that means that it does not include provision giving effect to sections 2 to 4. (3) Before revising the code of practice, the Scottish Ministers must consult such persons as they consider appropriate. (4) A revised code of practice is to come into effect on such date as is specified in it. 30 (5) Whenever the code of practice is revised, the Scottish Ministers must re-publish the code of practice as revised. (6) Subsection (5) does not apply if the Scottish Ministers consider that none of the revisions materially alters the effect of the code of practice. 6 Effect of code 35 (1) A person’s failure to comply with any provision of the code of practice does not of itself make the person liable to proceedings of any sort. 4 Welfare of Dogs (Scotland) Bill Part 2—Regulation (2) In any proceedings for a relevant offence— (a) failure to comply with a relevant provision of the code of practice may be relied on as tending to establish liability, and (b) compliance with a relevant provision of the code of practice may be relied on as 5 tending to negative liability. (3) A “relevant offence” is an offence under— (a) Part 2 of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006, or (b) regulations made under section 26...