Response 86544801

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Questions

1. The Scottish Government proposes that dog, cat and rabbit breeding activities should be regulated. Do you agree?

Please select one item
Yes
No
Don't know
Please explain your answer.
It is far too easy (and cheap) to acquire a pet. The burden of the resulting neglect and abandonment falls on rescue centres which are under tremendous pressure.

2. Do you agree with the proposal to set the licensing threshold for dog, cat and rabbit breeders at three or more litters a year?

Please select one item
Yes
No
Don't know
Please explain your answer.
All breeding should be regulated, there should be no lower bound on number of animals or number of litters. Backyard breeders are arguably responsible for most of the suffering.

3. Do you have any comments on the thresholds that should apply? Should these be different for the separate species?

All breeding needs to be regulated. No breeding without a license.

4. Do you agree with the proposal that a breeding dog, cat or rabbit must not give birth to more than six litters in their lifetime?

Please select one item
Yes
No
Don't know
Please explain your answer.
Breeding animal welfare plus restricting supply - pets are too cheap.

5. Do you agree with the proposal that as a condition of licensing, premises should only be allowed a maximum of 20 breeding dogs or cats within one calendar year?

Please select one item
Yes
No
Don't know
Please explain your answer.
Even 20 is too many. Impossible to provide an environment that is conducive to health and welfare in a factory setting.

6. Do you agree that individuals with unspent convictions for animal welfare offences or other criminal convictions (e.g. fraud) should not be allowed to hold a licence for breeding activities?

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Yes
No
Don't know

7. Are there other considerations, apart from criminal convictions, that should be part of a ‘fit and proper person’ test for those running dog, cat or rabbit breeding activities?

They should pass an exam on health, behaviour and welfare needs.

8. The Scottish Government proposes that reasonable costs of inspections should be charged to recover costs to inspectors approved by Scottish Ministers or local authorities. Do you agree with that proposal?

Please select one item
Yes
No
Don't know
Please explain your answer.
Absolutely and pet sales (other than from rescue centres, which incidentally also need regulating) should be heavily taxed with tax revenue used to support rescue.

9. Should licence fees be set by the authorised inspectors, local authorities or by the Scottish Government? Do you have any comments on what cost is reasonable and what should be included in this? (For example, this might include recovery of administrative costs, or payment for the inspector’s time etc.)

Please select one item
Authorised Inspectors
Local Authorities
Scottish Government
Don't know
Please explain your answer.
Fee should definitely cover all costs of inspection, etc.

10. The Scottish Government considers that licences lasting from one to three years may be issued on the basis of a welfare risk assessment. Do you agree?

Please select one item
Yes
No
Don't know
Please explain your answer.
There should be frequent inspections and licenses given for at most one year.

11. Do you think that a national list of licensed premises and activities should be kept?

Please select one item
Yes
No
Don't know

12. Do you have any comments on who should be able to access information from the list, and if a charge should be made for information?

Please select one item
Yes
No
Dont' know
Please explain your answer.
Should be public. No charge.

13. The Scottish Government believes that enforcement agencies should be able to suspend, vary or revoke licenses or issue improvement notices for minor irregularities. Do you agree with this proposal?

Please select one item
Yes
No
Don't know

14. The Scottish Government proposes that new legislation will require compliance with any relevant Scottish Government guidance as one of the licence conditions. Do you agree that this should be a condition of licensing? If you are aware of any other relevant standards please comment.

Please select one item
Yes
No
Don't know

15. Do you agree that appropriate fixed penalties should be available for minor non-compliance with the licensing legislation? (These are not currently available for animal welfare offences but may be introduced in future.)

Please select one item
Yes
No
Don't know

16. Do you agree that the Scottish Government should discourage the breeding of dogs, cats and rabbits with a predisposition for specific genetic conditions, which lead to health problems in later life?

Please select one item
Yes
No
Don't know
Please explain your answer.
Absolutely. All breeding for looks which increases known health risks should be banned, not just 'discouraged', e.g. brachycephalic dogs, cats and rabbits, rabbits with lop ears, crazy fur (e.g. angora), dwarf rabbits, giant rabbits, ... Evolution has done a great job in determining what rabbits should look like....

17. Do you agree that as a condition of licensing, any breeding practices which are likely to cause the offspring suffering in later life should be prohibited?

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Yes
No
Don't know

18. Do you have any comment on any other appropriate measures the Scottish Government could take to discourage harmful breeding practices?

Please select one item
Yes
No
Don't know
Please explain your answer.
Sale of animals too young to be away from their mother should be banned. Animals should be neutered and fully vaccinated before they are sold. We also desperately need a ban of online and pet shop sales. Impulse purchases of pets are responsible for much misery. Anyone acquiring a pet should be assessed on their knowledge of how to care for the pet and subject to a home visit.

About you

What is your name?

Diane Reyniers

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