Animal Welfare

Part of 2. Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd – in the Senedd at 2:53 pm on 15 December 2021.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Lesley Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Labour 2:53, 15 December 2021

I think Janet Finch-Saunders raises a very important point, and we've seen an increase in pet ownership, particularly dog ownership, over the COVID-19 pandemic, which I think has fuelled the rise that we are seeing on social media. It's very hard, isn't it, when social media isn't regulated in the way that other parts of the sector are. On the issue around dog ear cropping, which I referred to before, again we are seeing an increase on social media in relation to that. I think it's really important we continue to work with trading standards because, obviously, they work collaboratively both regionally and nationally so that they can share intelligence, for instance, to see where this is happening, and they can work much more closely, I think, local authorities, right across the UK, to avoid this. But it is a massive issue, I'm afraid. But I think buyers have a responsibility, too. And even if you're rescuing a puppy or if you're having one with no cost, I still think, as an individual, you have a responsibility where you do source your puppy, dog, cat or kitten from.