6. What steps is the Welsh Government taking to improve animal welfare? OQ59099

Diolch. Revisions to our statutory guidance for the Animal Welfare (Breeding of Dogs) (Wales) Regulations 2014 have been published. The introduction of new animal welfare regulations will be prioritised over the revision of existing regulations during the term of the plan. 

That's very helpful to know. In the last 15 months, two Caerphilly residents have been killed by dangerous dogs. One was a 10-year-old boy, the other was an 83-year-old woman. Both were in the community of Penyrheol, which has been hit by these two tragic, separate, incidents. My colleague Wayne David MP has raised the issue in the House of Commons and is putting pressure on the UK Government to update and amend the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991. A recent BBC Panorama documentary has highlighted the activities of unscrupulous dog breeders, who are breeding dogs and are combining breeds to get past loopholes in the law, and those dogs are then finding their way into communities like Penyrheol and others across Wales.

So, when updating the Animal Welfare (Breeding of Dogs) (Wales) Regulations 2014, which you have committed to, can this issue be considered, particularly cross-breeding? And I would be happy to sit down with the Minister to discuss the consequences of changing the law and how it can benefit those communities that have been affected in this tragic way.

Yes, absolutely, I'd be more than happy to meet with you. I had one in my own constituency as well—I had a fatal dog attack in my own constituency—and previous to Julie Morgan joining the Government, I remember having several meetings with her and a local Cardiff councillor around this. This is something that really needs to be got to grips with. As you say, the Dangerous Dogs Act is non-devolved, and I have raised this with colleagues in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to see if the plan could be to amend the Act. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any movement by the UK Government to do that. The Act covers the ownership of specific breeds of dogs deemed to be dangerous, but we know, of course, that all breeds of dogs can show aggression sometimes. So, I think that's an important point to remember. For me, as a Welsh Government, I think it's really important to promote responsible ownership, particularly in relation to that particular point.

I'm certainly very happy to look at your suggestion. As you know, we updated the animal welfare licensing regulations, and we did close loopholes there relating to pet sales to try and improve enforcement by local authorities. We've had the enforcement project that Welsh Government has funded for three years. I think we need to make sure that the public are making informed decisions when they buy a pet, so that was part of those regulations as well. But there is absolutely more we can do. I've asked officials to actually start to look at dog licensing again. When I was young, people had to have a dog licence, and maybe now is the time to look at that. I have asked my interim chief veterinary officer to do that for me.

Shifting focus onto the welfare of non-domestic animals, I'm sure you'll be aware in your role as rural affairs Minister that otters and foxes have been designated as carriers of the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1. According to Animal and Plant Health Agency data, 66 mammals have been tested to date for the disease, with nine otters and foxes being found positive. It appears that these scavenging animals, who predate on infected birds, are at risk of contracting H5N1. So, given this, what steps is the Welsh Government taking to analyse this and ensure that this isn't spreading through the wild foxes and wild otters here in Wales?

Thank you. As you know, we've had a continual outbreak of avian influenza across the UK over the past 16 to 17 months now. You're quite right, it's something that officials are working very closely on in relation to the findings from APHA because I don't think it's something that we've seen—I certainly hadn't been aware of it probably five years ago. So, I think it is something that is evolving—that's not the right word. So, if there is more information to come forward, I'll certainly be happy to share, but I know, again, that the interim chief veterinary officer is very keen to see what we can learn from that data.

Good afternoon, Minister. You won't be surprised to know that one aspect that I've consistently raised here in the Siambr is that of banning greyhound racing. Obviously many of you know that I've raised the issue of our dog, Arthur. Sadly, we said goodbye to Arthur yesterday. Arthur was only 11, and he'd only been with us for three years. The period before, the eight years before, he'd been either in a dogs' home, or five years on a race track, which is where the dogs' home found him in absolutely squalid, terrible conditions. Arthur was a very anxious dog. His back legs went, and he had a very serious neck injury from racing. I don't want any more Arthurs; I don't want any more dogs that come out like Arthur. So, we have to ban greyhound racing. I would say to you: what is going to happen in relation to your officials not looking at whether greyhound racing should be regulated, but that we want greyhound racing banned here in Wales? Thank you. Diolch yn fawr iawn.

Jane, I'm so sorry to hear about Arthur. He had a wonderful three years with you. I absolutely know that. And if we can do something in memory of Arthur, we will certainly do that. As you know, this is something that I've been looking at very closely. We've had the Petitions Committee report into banning greyhound racing, and, as you know, my officials have been looking at what can be done in relation to that. We need to build up evidence if that is the way that we think it should go. We cannot do anything without evidence and I very much look forward to continuing this debate. But I am truly sorry about Arthur.