Lynn Boylan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I accept that the ratio is a crude measure but I have heard the same said about capping the number of breeding bitches. I have concerns about Mr. Ryan's statement that automation improves socialisation. The behavioural expert made the point, which makes sense, that it is about introducing dogs to different environments and noises and being handled more. We know that when dogs go into shelters, they can become quite stressed, including my own dog. The noise of so many dogs in the environment can stress the dog out. There are professional organisations that have over 100 breeding bitches and the accompanying pups.

That is a lot of noise and a very stressful environment for a dog. The point is that the ratio is crude but it is about reducing the number of dogs onsite and increasing the number of people who are able to handle the dogs and get them used to different environments. Does the Department accept that? We know from the shelters that dogs get stressed just by the sound of having a lot of dogs around them and being cooped up. That is what is happening in dog breeding establishments, DBEs, even if they have automation to clean out the kennels and feed the dogs.