Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú) | Oireachtas source

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time."

Táim brodúil as an mBille seo a chuir os comhair na Dála inniu. Is Bille tábhachtach é. I am delighted to present Aontú's Dog Breeding Establishments (Amendment) Bill 2021, or the puppy farm Bill, on Second Stage. This Bill is the second animal welfare Bill Aontú has introduced in this Dáil. The first was the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) (Amendment) (Pets) Bill 2021, which was introduced by Aontú at the end of 2020 to create a minimum ten-month prison sentence for those caught stealing family pets. That Bill has passed First Stage and is awaiting an opportunity to be presented on Second Stage. It was reported in the Irish Examinera year ago that up to 200 dogs per week were being stolen from Irish homes every week. Criminal gangs are especially busy at this time of year in the run up to Christmas. This is a serious issue that has a major impact on families. Dogs are clearly part of the family and the death of a pet can have a significant emotional impact, which should be recognised in law.

Animal welfare and protection is a subject spoken about regularly in Leinster House, but we seldom see good, proper action on same. This issue is very important to communities, who want to see action, not just words. We need to see enforcement of animal welfare legislation. No matter what law we have, it is no good if we do not have enforcement. Be it in terms of employment, competition, housing, the environment or so on, having all the legislation in the world will do no good if we do not enforce it.

The purpose of Aontú's Dog Breeding Establishments (Amendment) Bill is to enhance the welfare of dogs. A dog is a loved pet in many families throughout the country. Dogs are traditionally seen as man and woman's best friend. The relationship between dogs and people is incredible. Their love, loyalty, protection and fun enrich the lives of many people. In particular, the relationship between a dog and a child is beneficial as the child grows up. When a dog dies, it leaves the family broken-hearted. Anyone who has had a dog can remember days, if not weeks, of grieving after the dog died. Indeed, anyone who has had a dog will remember that dog and the dog's character for the rest of his or her life.

In a civilised society, we must ensure we treat animals as humanely as possible and that all forms of life are treated with decency. This is especially true of dogs. Many people are unaware of where their puppies come from and how those dogs were brought into the world, including the mechanisms and structures behind it. None of us could countenance that our own pets came from a destructive beginning. Unfortunately, there is a great deal of money in dogs, and where there is money, there are people who are willing to exploit the situation for their own profit and try to get away with breaking the law.

This Bill aims to strengthen the regulation of dog breeding establishments to take account of key animal welfare issues. It also provides for proper enforcement of relevant statutory provisions. According to Rescue Animals Ireland, Ireland is considered the puppy farm capital of Europe. This is incredible. I understand that Ireland has one of the largest number of puppy farms per capitain Europe. Due to poor conditions in some puppy farms - I wish to underline the word "some" - animals can suffer greatly. Bad conditions mean dogs can develop serious illnesses and ailments that can cause serious discomfort and lead to long-term health consequences.

The number of puppy farms in Ireland is incredible. In 2016, there were 73 registered puppy farms. In 2018, there were 258 registered dog breeding establishments. Figures show these farms were producing at least 30,000 puppies per year. This is an incredibly high figure. Animal welfare organisations have warned that some puppy farms have upwards of 500 breeding dogs at any given time. The ability to house and feed those dogs properly, ensure their health and provide adequate staffing to meet those needs is difficult when the numbers are that high.

These are legal puppy farms, but we know there are also many illegal puppy farms in the country. In February of last year, the Irish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, ISPCA, took into care 60 dogs it found at a puppy farm in the midlands. In November 2020, 32 dogs were rescued from an illegal puppy farm in Baldoyle, Dublin. Those dogs had an estimated value of €150,000.

This whole sector, legal and illegal, is dealing with significant cyclical changes. Dogs were in high demand during Covid. Heartbreakingly, due to the world getting back to normal, we have seen a significant drop in that demand, with 30 dogs per day being abandoned. This is a strong message to send to people in the run up to Christmas. People should be aware before they purchase a dog that having a dog is a significant commitment. It is a great commitment and a wonderful experience for many, but people need to be confident they will be able to look after the dogs in the years to come.

The current influx of abandoned dogs is putting dog rescue and protection organisations under serious pressure, physically and in financial terms. While I understand that many people are financially strapped at the moment, I encourage those who can to consider helping dog charities financially in the coming months.

We have received many reports of significantly uneven enforcement of existing legislation from local authority to local authority. There are some shining lights among local authorities that are enforcing legislation properly but we have also received information that some local authorities are not doing their job or carrying out their responsibilities and that they do not have an individual with the specific task of the protection of dogs. Our Bill seeks that each local authority will commission a specific individual or team to ensure the protections afforded by the law are enforced.

The Bill introduces a minimum standard for animals. We strengthen the five freedoms contained in the 2010 Act by which each dog breeder must adhere in the raising of these animals. Under our Bill, dogs must kept in such a manner as to avoid unnecessary suffering. Dogs must receive treatment when necessary from a veterinary practitioner. Dogs must be permitted to exhibit their natural and normal behaviour. Dogs must be permitted to have the company of other dogs where this is safe.

Our Bill amends the definition of "authorised person" in the Act of 2010 so as to ensure that persons who act as authorised persons under that Act are specifically appointed under it to fulfil this role. We significantly increase the penalty for breaking the law in terms of puppy farms. Profits from breeding dogs are currently very high and the existing fines are not sufficient to make an impact. In other words, with high profits, it is not a massive risk if a person gets caught and must pay the existing fine. It is not a real deterrent. The previous maximum fine of €5,000 becomes a minimum fine on statutory conviction in our Bill and we introduce a €10,000 fine for convictions on indictment.

Dogs Trust, which is Ireland's largest dog welfare charity, has called on the Government to improve legislation governing the sale, supply and advertising of dogs. As Members are aware, the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine has recommended action in this area. We recognise that some of the proposals of the committee have strong merit. I refer to issues such as dogs having their ears mutilated for cosmetic purposes and the illegal nature of some advertisements that are used on selling platforms, which are clear threats to animal welfare. I hope this Bill makes it to Third Stage, because then we could include some of the proposals that have emerged from the committee as amendments to the Bill . I urge the Government to allow this Bill to proceed to the next Stage.

Is é an madra an cara is fearr atá ag daoine. I dteaghlaigh thart timpeall na tíre, tá áit lárnach ag peataí. Briseann croíthe na clainne nuair a fhaigheann an peata bás. Is fíorbhrón atá i gceist. Is ainmhí ar leith é an madra agus ba cheart go mbeadh sé sin aitheanta sa dlí.

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