The Licensing of Animal Dealers (Young Cats and Young Dogs) (Scotland) Regulations 2009

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations make provision for the licensing of animal dealers who are persons who acquire and sell young cats and young dogs and are, therefore, engaged in animal dealing. Regulation 3 makes provision for those persons who are required to hold an animal dealing licence.

Provisions as to application for a licence and the charging of fees are set out in regulations 4 and 5, respectively. Regulations 6 to 9 make provision as to the consideration of applications, their grant and renewal, conditions, and revocation, suspension and variation of licences.

Regulation 10 provides for the licence to continue temporarily when a licence holder dies. Regulation 11 provides for a local authority to appoint inspectors to exercise the powers conferred on them by these regulations. Provision for the local authority to keep a register of licence holders is contained in regulation 12. Regulation 13 provides for the local authority to review its decisions at the request of an applicant or licence holder. Regulation 14 makes provision as to appeals.

Regulation 15 requires young cats and young dogs to be kept separate from other animals for a period of not less than 10 days. Regulation 16 provides that a young cat or young dog must be transported directly to its purchaser.

Regulation 17 provides for the powers of inspectors and regulation 18 provides the penalty for obstructing an inspector. Regulation 19 makes provision as to the offence of making a false statement. Regulation 20 provides for offences by bodies corporate and regulation 21 makes provision in relation to disqualifications. Regulation 22 provides for termination or variation of disqualification. Enforcement by the local authority is provided for in regulation 23.

The Schedule sets out the information to be completed by an animal dealer to create the written record which accompanies a young cat or young dog when it is sold to a purchaser.

A regulatory impact assessment has been prepared in respect of these Regulations and has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre. A copy can be obtained from the Scottish Government Rural Directorate, Pentland House, Robb’s Loan, Edinburgh EH14 1TY.