7. Will the First Minister make a statement on enforcement action made under the Animal Welfare (Breeding of Dogs) (Wales) Regulations 2014? OAQ(5)0487(FM)

Yes. The enforcement of the regulations is the responsibility of the local authorities. However, officials are working with the heads of trading standards in Wales, via the partnership delivery programme, to capture data to assess the effectiveness of these regulations.

Okay, thank you for that answer, First Minister. Information received from anti-puppy farming campaigners says that local authorities do not have the resources to enforce the legislation. In its report, ‘Animal Welfare in England: Domestic Pets’, the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee recommended that the Government in the UK ban third-party sales of dogs and that dogs should only be available for licenced regulated breeders or approved rehoming organisations. This would go a long way to shutting down the puppy farming industry, which leads to the abuse and suffering of both dogs and owners.

The UK Government has decided to ignore this recommendation. If the First Minister has the devolved powers to do so, does he intend to ban third-party dog sales in Wales? And if he doesn’t, how does the First Minister propose to take this issue further?

I think we’ve got to separate the issue of puppy farming and the issue of legitimate third-party sales. I know that there are some who will say that there’s no difference, because I’ve heard it. I don’t accept that view; I think there are those who sell via a third-party route who are dedicated to their animals and who observe the highest standards possible, and there are those who don’t and they are the puppy farmers. But, of course, what is hugely important is that local authorities devote the resources they should to ensuring that the regulations are in force and that the law is observed. And, indeed, I know that there was a recent court case in Ceredigion where Ceredigion council did just that—they did enforce the law. They followed the judicial process that led to the breeder’s prosecution, and they have also ensured that suitable arrangements have been made in relation to dogs removed from the premises.

So, local authorities are enforcing the law. It’s hugely important that those people who are the real rogues, if I can put it that way—the puppy farmers—are dealt with and the law provides the means to do that.

On the wider issue of animal cruelty, obviously, it’s widely established that cruelty to animals is considered a gateway behaviour to violence against people. Many of those perpetrators, I’m sure, as with other things, would deny their responsibility in these acts of violence, but what are you doing to consider this as part of wider animal abuse legislation? And would you support the call that I and others in this Chamber have asked of your animal welfare Minister to have an animal abuse register for Wales, because if we can track these perpetrators who are taking part in this violence against animals at this early stage, if they then go on to perpetrate against people, then we can try and deflect from the seriousness of the potential things that they may do in these positions? So, I would urge you to consider this seriously and to carry out research in this area.

Can I give that consideration on the Member’s behalf? It’s an idea that’s worth investigating. I don’t know what the practical issues would be but, certainly, I’d want to look at this further. I’ll write to the Member with the results of that consideration in terms of what standpoint the Government is taking on this.

First Minister, I appreciate that the Government gathers data at the moment that will steer any review into these regulations. Under these circumstances, can you give us an idea when this review will be held? And can you also publish a timetable on this issue?

There’s no timetable in place at present, but of course this is something that the Minister will issue to the Assembly once it’s decided.

Thank you, First Minister.