Dog Breeding

Part of 2. Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd – in the Senedd at 2:49 pm on 15 September 2021.

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Photo of Luke Fletcher Luke Fletcher Plaid Cymru 2:49, 15 September 2021

It's encouraging to know that there is movement in ending the abhorrent practice of ear cropping dogs. Ear cropping is linked to unlicensed breeders, especially of American bully type dogs, and local rescues, such as Hope Rescue in Llanharan, are inundated with reports of ear-cropped dogs and have concerns around current resources to investigate complaints, especially when also linked with unlicensed breeding. For example, it took seven months to bring one breeder to justice, and I'm told that there have been 30 unlicensed breeders with ear-cropped dogs reported to one local authority recently. I'm sure the Minister, like me, wants to see such practices resigned to the history books here in Wales, and I would be grateful if she would be able to update Members on what actions the Welsh Government are taking to address the resource gap reported by rescues across Wales, specifically when it come to ear cropping.