MINISTERS are to bring forward new legislation aimed at cracking down on 'designer' pets and unscrupulous puppy farmers.
It comes after an official consultation found 96.8 per cent of 675 respondents wanted tighter regulation around the breeding of dogs, cats and rabbits.
Existing rules allow breeders to produce 40 or more puppies a year without any legal obligations or inspections – while those breeding cats and rabbits do not require a licence.
But concerns have been growing over animal welfare, with some pets suffering debilitating health conditions as a result of breeding practices deliberately designed to exaggerate certain features – such as long ears or short noses.
Breeds particularly at risk of health problems include pugs, bloodhounds and bulldogs.
Scottish ministers want to revamp the system and bring forward new rules to stamp out unethical breeding.
Proposals include “discouraging” the breeding of dogs, cats and rabbits with a predisposition for specific genetic conditions, and prohibiting any breeding practices likely to cause the offspring suffering in later life. Both options were backed by respondents.
The vast majority (95.2%) also wanted those with unspent criminal convictions to be banned from being given a licence, while 94.5% wanted a national list of licensed premises.
Around four out of five respondents (79.7%) backed plans for licences lasting from one to three years based on a risk assessment while 20.3% were against this.
However, more than half (57.2%) of those responding opposed the Government’s proposals to limit litters to three a year, with 71.3% backing plans to limit lifetime litters to six.
Rural Affairs minister Mairi Gougeon said: “We love our pets in Scotland, so it is no surprise that so many people are in favour of our proposals to further protect the welfare of cats, dogs and rabbits.
“The aim is to modernise the whole licensing process - making it less onerous on those organisations already doing the right thing and, most importantly, ensuring that the system is centred around the welfare of animals.”
She said ministers would now work to bring forward regulation.
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