Conor D McGuinness urges 30-bitch cap and higher breeding age
Conor D McGuinness spoke on the Dog Welfare Amendment Bill, urging statutory limits and stronger welfare protections for dog breeding establishments. He backed a 30-bitch cap, a minimum breeding age of 15 months, a 10-week mother-and-pup period, a 1:10 staff-to-bitch ratio, and removal of a greyhound exemption for surgical artificial insemination.
The speaker said the Bill aims to close gaps in the existing dog breeding Establishment Act and to place welfare, not commercial-scale breeding, at the centre of regulation. He pressed for a statutory cap of 30 breeding bitches to prevent large-scale puppy farms where animals are treated as units rather than living beings with needs.
He argued that allowing pups to be bred from six months is inappropriate and called for a minimum breeding age of 15 months. He also insisted pups must remain with their mother for at least 10 weeks, noting current early separation practices harm both mother and pup.
Conor D McGuinness welcomed the introduction of a staff-to-bitch ratio of 1 to 10, saying clear staffing requirements are necessary to enforce welfare obligations. He emphasised the need for proper oversight and inspection regimes to end cruelty and exploitation in intensive breeding operations.
He highlighted welfare concerns over surgical artificial insemination and said recent professional conduct changes recognise those concerns. He criticised the continued exemption for greyhounds and argued the same welfare standards should apply to all dogs.
The speaker criticised the government for delaying action, describing past and current approaches as "kicking the can down the road." He urged ministers to allow decisive action now, saying the issue must be grappled with immediately rather than deferred.
Main proposals
The speaker said the Bill aims to close gaps in the existing dog breeding Establishment Act and to place welfare, not commercial-scale breeding, at the centre of regulation. He pressed for a statutory cap of 30 breeding bitches to prevent large-scale puppy farms where animals are treated as units rather than living beings with needs.
Breeding age and mother-pup period
He argued that allowing pups to be bred from six months is inappropriate and called for a minimum breeding age of 15 months. He also insisted pups must remain with their mother for at least 10 weeks, noting current early separation practices harm both mother and pup.
Staffing and inspections
Conor D McGuinness welcomed the introduction of a staff-to-bitch ratio of 1 to 10, saying clear staffing requirements are necessary to enforce welfare obligations. He emphasised the need for proper oversight and inspection regimes to end cruelty and exploitation in intensive breeding operations.
Surgical artificial insemination and greyhound exemption
He highlighted welfare concerns over surgical artificial insemination and said recent professional conduct changes recognise those concerns. He criticised the continued exemption for greyhounds and argued the same welfare standards should apply to all dogs.
Criticism of government response
The speaker criticised the government for delaying action, describing past and current approaches as "kicking the can down the road." He urged ministers to allow decisive action now, saying the issue must be grappled with immediately rather than deferred.
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Transcript
I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Dog Welfare Amendment Bill and I thank Deputy Whitmore for putting this together and bringing it before the Dáil. At its core, the Bill seeks to close serious gaps in the dog breeding Establishment Act 20, 10 and out, dated piece of legislation and to place welfare, not commercial scale breeding at the centre of how we regulate these establishments. For too long, the absence of a cap on the number of breeding females has created the conditions for large scale puppy farms for animals are treated as units on a conveyor belt rather than living beings with needs, instincts and the right to basic care and welfare. Sinn Féin has been very clear that the current regime is being abused albeit by a minority of operators and without a statutory limit, establishments can accumulate very large numbers of breeding bitches with no realistic capacity to provide proper welfare. A cap of 30 breeding bitches is necessary to end the worst excesses of intensive dog breeding operations. And as has been noted here, no individual, no small operator without proper regulation and staffing levels can manage the welfare of 30 females and their many pups never mind the far higher numbers we know exist in some facilities around the state. And this Bill both acknowledges that reality and seeks to remediate it. And we also strongly support raising the breeding age allowing pups to be bred from six months old is entirely inappropriate. They should be left to mature. We want to see the minimum breeding age increase to 15 months. Furthermore, pups must be allowed to remain with their mothers for at least 10 weeks. And the current practice where pups are separated after only a few weeks in order to bring the bitch back into breeding condition is harmful to both mother and pup. A statutory 10-week mother and pup period is a basic welfare requirement and long overdue. The introduction of a staff-to-bitch ratio of 1 to 10 is also welcome. And without that clear staffing requirements, welfare obligations cannot be enforced in any meaningful way. And proper oversight, proper staffing and proper inspection regimes are needed if we're to be in any way serious about ending cruelty and exploitation. And finally, I want to address the issue of surgical artificial insemination. The changes to the Code of Professional Conduct for veterinary practitioners have already recognised the welfare concerns involved. However, the continued exemption for greyhounds is not justified. The same welfare standards should apply to all dogs, and Sinn Féin believes that law must reflect that. And I have to say, Minister, I've seen it in the last government, which was dubbed the kick-the-can-down-the-road government, and it's unfortunate to see that with the new injection of independent deputies into the government benches, that that is continuing. And we've seen it with wind turbine regulations last week. We see it with this piece of legislation this week, where the can is kicked down the road. And I do understand the points that you outlined in your speech to allow that discursive element to take place. But we do need to grapple with this issue now. This government is 11 months air of oad, and we need to get to grips with this. So I'd ask you to allow this. Thank you.