The Welfare of Animals (Dog Breeding Establishments and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013

Regulation 2, 5(2)(3)(5)

SCHEDULE 4 Licence Conditions

Condition 1: Accommodation and environment

1.—(1) Accommodation in which a dog is being or may be kept, shall be durable and appropriate in—

(a) construction;

(b) size;

(c) exercise facilities;

(d) temperature;

(e) lighting;

(f) ventilation;

(g) cleanliness; and

(h) drainage.

(2) Appropriate measures shall be taken for the protection of persons and dogs in case of fire or other emergency.

(3) Adequate clean bedding shall be provided for each dog and shall be renewed when soiled.

Condition 2: Whelping facilities

2.—(1) All bitches shall be provided with a designated area prior to whelping with a suitable whelping box/bed.

(2) Heating facilities should be adequate, secure and safe and capable of providing the range of temperatures, suitable for both pups and bitch.

(3) An area shall be provided within the whelping kennel where a bitch can rest away from her pups.

Condition 3: Diet

3.—(1) A dog shall be supplied daily with a suitable quantity and quality of food for the type and breed of dog.

(2) A dog shall have access to clean drinking water at all times.

Condition 4: Normal behaviour

4.—(1) A dog shall have regular access to adequate facilities to enable them to exhibit normal behaviour patterns through play, interaction and relief from boredom.

(2) Where not detrimental to the health of the dog, the dog should have regular exercise suitable to the breed and size of the dog.

Condition 5: Socialization

5.  The licence holder shall have a written socialization programme for puppies approved by the inspector.

Condition 6: Enhancement and enrichment

6.  The licence holder shall have a written enhancement and enrichment programme for bitches, stud dogs and other dogs approved by the inspector.

Condition 7: Health

7.—(1) Where appropriate the licence holder or an attendant shall inspect all dogs at regular intervals throughout the day and night.

(2) Licence holders shall take all reasonable steps to protect dogs from pain, suffering, injury and disease.

(3) Licence holders shall take all reasonable steps to prevent and control the spread of infectious or contagious diseases amongst dogs in the breeding establishment.

(4) Adequate and suitable isolation facilities shall be available to—

(a) house a sick dog pending veterinary treatment; and

(b) for recuperation where appropriate.

(5) A dog shall not be continually exposed to direct sunlight.

(6) A dog shall receive any necessary veterinary treatment and such treatment shall include vaccinations.

Condition 8: Mating

8.  The licence holder shall ensure that a breeding bitch shall not—

(a) be mated until she is over 12 months old;

(b) give birth to more than 3 litters in any period of 3 years and shall not be bred in any consecutive heat period;

(c) give birth to more than 6 litters of pups in total; and

(d) be mated after 8 years old unless veterinary certification is granted before she is bred from.

Condition 9: Change of ownership of a puppy

9.  A licence holder shall retain ownership and possession of a puppy until the puppy is at least 8 weeks old.

Condition 10: Identification of breeding bitches and other dogs

10.—(1) All breeding bitches and other dogs shall be identified with a microchip.

(2) The microchip referred to in sub-paragraph (1) shall comply with the requirements of regulation 9 of the Dogs (Licensing and Identification) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012(1).

(3) This paragraph does not apply to the breeding bitch or other dog if the keeper of the breeding bitch or other dog produces to the district council a certificate signed by a veterinary surgeon to the effect that implantation (or continued implantation) of a microchip in the breeding bitch or other dog would have an adverse effect on the health of the dog.

(4) Where a breeding bitch or other dog arrives on any premises and has not already been microchipped, the holder of the licence shall microchip the breeding bitch or other dog within 7 days.

Condition 11: Identification of puppies

11.—(1) The holder of a licence shall ensure that a puppy shall be identified with a microchip before it is 8 weeks of age.

(2) The microchip referred to in sub-paragraph (1) shall comply with the requirements of regulation 9 of the Dogs (Licensing and Identification) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012.

(3) The licence-holder shall be the first registered owner of any puppy born on the licence holder’s premises before—

(a) the puppy departs the licence holder’s premises with a view to changing ownership; or

(b) the licence-holder transfers ownership of the puppy to a third party.

(4) The licence-holder shall provide sufficient details to allow the new owner of a puppy to update the microchip database.

Condition 12: Record keeping requirements

12.—(1) The licence holder shall maintain a record in relation to each breeding bitch kept on the premises setting out her—

(a) Name/number (if any);

(b) date of birth;

(c) breed;

(d) health status;

(e) microchip number;

(f) mating details including—

(i) breed and unique microchip number of the sire; and

(ii) details of each puppy born including—

(aa) date of birth;

(bb) sex;

(cc) microchip number of each puppy; and

(dd) date when ownership is transferred.

(2) The licence holder shall maintain a record in relation to each other dog setting out the details as required by sub-paragraph (1)(a) to (e).

(3) The record may be kept in manual or computerised form so long as the record is capable of being reproduced in a legible form for inspection by an inspector.

(4) The record shall be available for inspection by an inspector and retained by the licence holder for 3 years from the date the breeding bitch or other dog dies or is transferred to a new owner.

(5) When a breeding bitch or other dog is transferred the date of transfer and the name, address and contact telephone number of the new owner shall be recorded on the record referred to in paragraph (1). When a breeding bitch or other dog dies, the date of death shall be recorded on the record referred to in paragraph (1). As a minimum the licence holder shall provide to the new owner of the bitch the record in respect of sub-paragraph (1)(a) to (e) and the number of litters produced by the bitch.

(6) When ownership of a puppy is transferred the name, address and contact telephone number of the new owner shall be recorded on the record referred to in paragraph (1). As a minimum the licence holder shall provide to the new owner of the puppy the date of birth and microchip number of the puppy.

(1)

S.R. 2012 No. 132