Ireland Bans Puppy Mills

(ANIMAL NEWS) IRELAND — The reference to Ireland as the Puppy Mill of Europe is one that legislators there hope to wipe out. Two 2012 laws require dog breeders to uphold certain standards and give local law enforcement the authority to shut breeders down if they don’t. Irish breeders can still have large numbers of dogs, but they can no longer raise them in dangerous, cramped conditions. By instating these regulations, legislators and authorities hope to find and shut down all the puppy mills in Ireland. We hope that other countries will follow suit. Read more about the new Irish puppy mill laws. — Global Animal

New laws in Ireland will require dog breeders to give puppies a safe environment. Photo Credit: Tree Leaf Clover/Flickr

Irish Central, Cathal Dervan

Puppy farming has been outlawed in Ireland – with harsh penalties now imposed on anyone who breaks the country’s new laws.

Legislation banning puppy farms came into effect on New Year’s Day as the government looks to clean up the country’s act. The move comes after Ireland became known as the Puppy Farm of Europe. Campaigners have fought for years to protect puppies from unscrupulous breeders.

Now two laws – the Welfare of Greyhounds Act and the Dogs Breeding Establishments Act – have been introduced to control dog breeding and force breeders to look after their animals properly. The new anti-puppy farming legislation makes it impossible to produce hundreds of puppies in grim conditions. Local authority vets also have the right and obligation to inspect all breeding locations. They can immediately shut down any kennels where animals are not being properly cared for. All Irish puppies will be micro-chipped and can now be traced back to the breeder. Breeders will be allowed to keep large numbers of animals, but only under strict conditions and standards set down by the new regulations. All breeders must also be registered with their local authority to comply with the new rules.

Police have encountered several harrowing cases in recent times. Last autumn, a Midlands owner escaped charges after a raid on a puppy farm where 50 dogs were rescued from ‘filthy and overcrowded’ kennels. Officers described the premises as ‘deplorable’.

More Irish Central: http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Long-awaited-legislation-outlaws-puppy-farming-in-Ireland-136523433.html

Share Your Thoughts

Follow Global Animal For Your Daily Animal Connection

Subscribe to our e-mail newsletter to receive updates.

, , , , , , , , ,

5 Responses to Ireland Bans Puppy Mills

  1. Mandi Davis on Facebook January 13, 2012 at 9:13 am #

    Go Erie!!! Hopefully the States & rest of the world will follow SOON

  2. Deborah van der Pas on Facebook January 12, 2012 at 12:26 pm #

    Now the rest of the world need to follow.

  3. Shannon Hobson on Facebook January 12, 2012 at 10:15 am #

    Yay Ireland!!

  4. George Waters on Facebook January 12, 2012 at 9:00 am #

    Indeed….

  5. Donna Turner on Facebook January 12, 2012 at 7:28 am #

    Okay, now if Ireland completely bans the use of animals in laboratories, I think I know where my ultimate destination will be! The U.S. is so out of touch, I don’t want to live here anymore.

Leave a Reply

Back to top