Puppy Farmers Shooting Dogs Amid Decreasing Demand: Charity Advocates Register

Puppy Farmers Shooting Dogs Due to Decreasing Demand

Puppy farmers have allegedly started 'shooting dogs' in Northern Ireland due to a decreasing demand for pets as animal welfare charities call for a public register of breeders.

Northern Ireland - The 'Wild West' of Dog Breeding

Northern Ireland has been described as the 'wild west' for dog breeding in the UK and Ireland by animal welfare charity Naturewatch Foundation. They claim it is the least transparent region with regards to dog breeding, and it is almost impossible to establish if a breeder is operating legally. Some breeders in Northern Ireland have over 200 breeding adults and can potentially earn millions each year through puppy production.

Calls for Stricter Regulations

With only 48 licensed dog breeders in Northern Ireland, there is a pressing need for more oversight. Animal welfare campaigners have urged the DAERA Minister to review the breeding regulations to improve the welfare of thousands of dogs. As demand for dogs decreases, concerns arise over breeders producing large numbers of 'unwanted dogs', leading to cases of dogs being shot or put down.

Campaign for Transparency

Naturewatch Foundation is collaborating with local campaigners to pressure Minister Andrew Muir to enhance regulations. A new Expert Advisory Group is being formed to review the regulation of dog breeding, aiming to enforce high welfare standards that ensure the well-being of breeding dogs.

Conclusion

The lack of policy and oversight in dog breeding is a critical issue, and establishing a public breeder register could be a vital step towards improving the welfare of dogs in Northern Ireland.