A MID and West Wales AM is urging people to have their say on Welsh Government plans to raise dog breeding standards and clamp down on bad practice.

Earlier this summer the Welsh Government laid draft regulations to ensure greater controls around dog breeding. However these regulations were subsequently withdrawn because there was a lack of clarity around whether the required staff to dog ratio excluded puppies.

Rebecca Evans AM said: “I know from my postbag that dog breeding is something that many people have very strong feelings about, and that people are keen that the forthcoming regulations are robust and fit for purpose.

“There are around 2,000 dog breeding establishments in Wales, and many of these are in the Mid and West Wales region I represent. The forthcoming regulations must safeguard the welfare of adult dogs and their puppies, and enable enforcement agencies to prevent, identify and stamp out poor practice.

“I urge anyone with a view on dog breeding regulations to take this chance to have their say in the Welsh Government’s consultation.”

The new consultation clarifies that the proposed staff to dog ratio would only apply to adult dogs, defined as those over six months old.

The Welsh Government is proposing a minimum of one full time attendant to 20 adult dogs and one part time attendant to 10 adult dogs.

The Welsh Government is also proposing that in granting licenses to a breeder, local authorities will have the power to increase the staff to adult dog ratio if it thinks that is necessary for a particular breeding establishment.

The Welsh Government says that local authorities should consider factors such as the facilities of each breeding premises, the types of breeds kept and their average litter size when granting licensees. Local authorities could attach further conditions to a licence if it considers this is necessary, and the Welsh Government believes that this would provide the flexibility needed to safeguard the welfare needs of all adult dogs and their puppies.

Launching the consultation, the Minister said:

“There is increasing public concern over the way that dogs are bred and the conditions they are kept in. In response to this we have been working hard to develop plans that will improve matters where necessary, but in a way that is also fair to responsible dog breeders.”

The consultation will run until 14 October 14, and can be viewed at www.wales.gov.uk/consultations