Lynn Boylan (Sinn Fein)
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I think it would make more sense if it was streamlined and if there was just one body carrying out the inspections, rather than the Department having to keep carrying out training exercises.

The revised guidelines set the staff to breeding bitches ratio at 1:25. Most animal welfare organisations have a 1:10 ratio. What is important for anybody listening today is that it is 1:25 breeding bitches and does not include the pups or any stud dogs on the farm. That could result in one person actually being responsible for up to 150 dogs. I have one dog and I know it is an awful lot of work in terms of cleaning up after it and maintaining it. I hope the witnesses will tell me that this staffing ratio is under review and will be reduced from 1:25 because it is just not practical for it to be 1:25 when we are really talking about 1:150 dogs.