Establishments used for the breeding of dogs are controlled by the Breeding of Dogs Act 1973, As amended by The breeding and sale of dogs welfare Act 1999.
A breeding establishment means any premises where five or more litters are born within a 12 month period.
No person may keep a breeding establishment without first obtaining a licence from their Local Authority. You can apply for this licence by downloading the form on the right hand side.
A licence may be granted if the applicant is not disqualified under any of the following Acts.
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The Breeding of Dogs Act 1973 amended 1999.
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The Pet Animals Act 1951.
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The Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act 1954.
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The Protection of Animals (Cruelty to Dogs) (Scotland) Act 1934.
There is fee which must be paid at the time the application is made. Currently the fee is £53.20 plus the cost of the initial vetinary inspection
Where a licence is granted, that licence and any subsequent licence will expire on the 31st December of the year to which the licence relates and must be renewed before that date if the premises are to continue as a dog breeding establishment.
Council's Duties
Before deciding to grant a licence to a person for the first time, the local authority is required to arrange an inspection of the premises by a veinary surgeon / practioner and by an officer of the authority.
The applicant must be able to demonstrate to the Council's Licensing officer:
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That the dogs will at all times be kept in accommodation that is suitable in respect of construction, size of quarters, number of occupants, exercising facilities, temperature, lighting, ventilation and cleanliness.
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That the dogs will be adequately supplied with suitable food, drink and bedding material, adequately exercised, and (so far as is necessary) visited at suitable intervals.
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That all reasonable precautions will be taken to prevent and control the spread amongst the dogs of infectious or contagious diseases, including the provision of isolation facilities.
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That appropriate steps will be taken for the protection of the dogs in case of fire or other emergency, including the provision of suitable and sufficient fire fighting equipment.
Copies of the Breeding of Dogs Act and other legislation can be purchased from Her Majesty's Stationery Office.