Dáil debates

Thursday, 24 November 2022

Dog Breeding Establishments (Amendment) Bill 2021: Second Stage [Private Members]

 

6:05 pm

Photo of Peadar TóibínPeadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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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.

6:15 pm

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputies Tóibín, Canney and Grealish for bringing forward this Private Member's Bill. I am pleased to inform the House that the Government is not opposing the Bill.

I have two dogs myself, a miniature Yorkshire terrier called Rusty and a King Charles spaniel called Lady. Like everybody else, they are part of the family and we would be heartbroken if anything happened to them. I think that is the case for many people. Whether it is an elderly person living alone or a young family, often the entire household revolves around the dog: whether they have been fed or walked or if the dog took a shoe. These are all familiar questions in any household with a dog.

Hallowe'en has just gone by. We always want to make sure the dogs are safe and sound before the fireworks start going off because we know the noise stresses them out. It is the same story if there is thunder. It is always one thing or another. We are always on the lookout to make sure the dog is okay. There is a fair bit of work in that. Sometimes they might tear socks, dig up the flowerbed or do their business somewhere they should not and then you put your foot in it, but the fact of the matter is that we would not be without them. What we get back in return is the most loyal friend and companion we could ever ask for. You always get a friendly welcome when you come home at the end of the day. We had a long day yesterday. No matter what time we get home, the dog is always glad to see us. That is why it is so horrifying to many of us when we hear of instances where dogs are not treated well or they are subjected to cruelty. Whether it is in dog breeding establishments, DBEs, which tonight's Bill relates to, or whether it is in a home, as far as I am concerned if a person is not going to treat a dog right then he or she should not have one.

The proposals outlined in the Bill are broadly in line with my Department's overall objective to promote responsible dog breeding in Ireland. I assure the House that they will be taken into consideration by my Department in the preparation of amendments to the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010, on which work is already under way. As Deputies will be aware, the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 regulates the operation of dog breeding establishments. It is important to say that local authorities are responsible for all operational matters in relation to DBEs, including the licensing, monitoring and inspection of dog breeding establishments and, where a serious and immediate threat exists to public health or animal health and welfare, for the closure of such establishments. All local authorities must establish and maintain registers of dog breeding establishments and the Act prohibits the operation of unregistered establishments. I welcome many of the proposals in this Bill. I agree that we need enhanced enforcement by local authorities to ensure that dogs in dog breeding establishments are kept in appropriate conditions. None of us want to see dogs kept in substandard conditions. I believe consultation with local authorities and other key stakeholders will be required on some of the proposals as they would have operational implications for the work of the local authorities on the ground.

I also welcome the proposals to increase the maximum fines for convictions under the Act to €10,000. For the information of the House, I might use this opportunity to outline the role of my Department in this area, and set out its responsibilities regarding dog breeding establishments and dog control. Legislative and policy responsibilities in relation to the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 and the Control of Dogs Act 1986 transferred to my Department from the then Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government in July 2017, when the Department of Rural and Community Development was formed. Since the transfer of these functions, my Department has carried out several reviews of this area of work to ensure that the legislation is fit for purpose, to seek to make improvements where appropriate and to promote responsible dog ownership.

Each year, my Department publishes comprehensive annual statistics on local authority dog-related activities. These cover, for example, information on stray and unwanted dogs, dog licences, enforcement actions and the operation of local authority dog shelters and dog breeding establishments. These statistics are available on the gov.ie website.

Information on dog breeding establishments is also collated. The number of such establishments in 2021 was 245. This figure includes 92 commercial dog breeding establishments, 83 hunt clubs, 49 commercial boarding kennels, 17 animal welfare shelters and four training kennels.

In order to provide a full picture of the work carried out on dog breeding establishments, it is important to understand the role of other arms of Government with responsibilities in these areas. The most important aspect of work relating to dog control happens at the front line. The local authorities are key in this regard. They are responsible for all operational matters relating to dog breeding establishments, including the licensing, monitoring and inspection of dog breeding establishments, and in very serious cases, for the closure of such establishments. Local authorities are also responsible for the enforcement of certain legislation in this area. For example, under the Control of Dogs Acts, local authorities have the power to issue dog licences, appoint dog wardens, provide dog shelters, seize dogs, impose on-the-spot fines and take court proceedings against dog owners, where appropriate.

My officials co-operate closely with the local authority veterinary service to ensure that we do what we can to support the vets in their work.

This includes facilitating training and information days for the vets.

My Department also has a close working relationship with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, which is responsible for the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, and a statutory instrument made by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine under that Act includes provisions relating to the microchipping of dogs. That Department also oversees regulations on the sale, supply and advertising of pets, including dogs.

On 13 October, the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine published its report on issues impacting on dog welfare in Ireland. One of the main recommendations in that report is that legislation relating to dog breeding establishments and dog control be brought under the remit of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and I think there is merit in this recommendation. Many Deputies probably assumed that that Department, as the lead Department for animal welfare, would take this Private Member's Bill, but I think having all of the relevant legislation under one Department's roof would be preferable and I will engage with the Minister, Deputy McConaIogue, on this.

In line with my commitment to the responsible breeding of dogs and as a result of my Department's close relationship with both the local authority vets and dog welfare groups, I am well aware of the need to tighten up on the operating standards in dog breeding establishments. As part of that work, my Department initiated a public consultation in 2017 and, as a result of that consultation, revised guidelines for the operation of dog breeding establishments came into effect in January 2019. They now form part of the framework within which local authorities carry out inspections and issue improvement notices where required. Having taken on board the stakeholder views, we ensured a substantial shift in focus within the revised guidelines towards the welfare of dogs and pups in dog breeding establishments. We know that better socialised pups, housed in appropriate accommodation, make for better pets. Where there is a focus on socialisation in the first few weeks of life, there is a smoother transition to life in a family home. The revised guidelines also placed emphasis on the need for accurate record-keeping by dog breeding establishments and set the staff-to-breeding-bitches ratio at 1:25. This was a key shift from the original guidelines, which did not stipulate a ratio.

As part of our drive to review and improve legislation in this area, work is ongoing in the Department on a review of the legislation and proposed amendments to both the Dog Breeding Establishments Act and the Control of Dogs Act. In respect of dog breeding establishments, we are considering, for example, strengthening the enforcement regime by introducing additional penalties for offences and allowing for fixed-payment notices. We are also proposing additional amendments to ensure local authorities can inspect de-registered premises and seize dogs when warranted due to welfare and other issues.

Some other amendments under consideration in respect of the Dog Breeding Establishments Act include requirements for dog breeding establishment operators to ensure dogs are adequately socialised and habituated; strengthening the enforcement regime by introducing additional penalties for offences and allowing for fixed payment notices; amendments regarding the deregistration process; allowing for the seizure of dogs when warranted due to welfare and other issues; and the introduction of dog breeding establishment fee bands. For example, larger dog breeding establishments may require more on-site inspections and follow-up actions warranting increased fees. In the context of this work, my officials will also review all the recommendations of the joint committee’s report I mentioned earlier.

I reiterate I am in broad agreement with the thrust of the proposals in the Bill. They will be fully examined and taken into consideration by my Department in the preparation of amendments to the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010, which I hope to bring forward early in the new year.

6:25 pm

Photo of Réada CroninRéada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein)
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I am glad to speak to the Bill and I commend na Teachtaí Tóibín, Grealish and Canney, all of whom had some part in getting it to this stage. It was nice to hear the Minister's remarks. I always think the Thursday debates are a bit more easygoing and it was good to hear her put her dogs' names on the record, so I will do likewise. I had no dog to welcome me home last night because my little Slaney is dead. While she had a great life with us, it is a dog's life for many hundreds of dogs that are bred again and again in some of these dog breeding establishments.

These misfortunate dogs suffer because too many people are willing to buy their dogs on a roundabout, in an hotel car park or at a layby. When they do this, they must know that the reason they do not want to go to an establishment relates to the fact they cannot face the conditions in which some of these dogs are kept, like prisoners who just breed, feed and bleed. It is a dog's life because too many people are still willing to get puppies from these cruel, exploitative puppy farms, where the poor mothers are bred purely for money. What kind of life is that for any animal and what kind of person breeds animals like that? As any of us who has a dog will know, when you look in a dog's eyes, you wonder how anyone could have been drawn to that as a job. In my opinion, and I think that of all animal lovers, these people are unfit to keep any animal at all.

I support the Bill also because it will increase the penalties for those running unlicensed and illegal puppy farms. It calls for dogs to be kept in a manner that avoids unnecessary suffering, where they receive all necessary veterinary treatment in a timely manner. I pay tribute to groups in Kildare such as My Lovely Horse Rescue and Hilltop Sanctuary, which have to go around picking up the pieces of some of these poor dogs that are bred almost to death for the sake of profit. I also commend my comrade Senator Boylan on the report the Minister referenced, which she initiated with the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, on issues impacting on dog welfare in Ireland. We need to act immediately on that. I was surprised the Bill has come under the Minister's Department, given I had expected this debate to be with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Senator Boylan is anxious to facilitate a debate with him and she is a bit worried about his reluctance to have one, so the Minister might have a word with her Cabinet colleague in that regard.

We need to act on the licensing of dog breeding establishments, whose guidelines have been under review for years, and we need a firm date for when those guidelines will be updated. Just as important, we need confirmation that they will be put on a statutory footing because that is the only way this can work, with no ifs or buts. Right now, each local authority licenses dog breeding establishments but there is no standardisation of the information they make available. Sinn Féin would like to ensure that each local authority will display the details of each dog breeding establishment on its website, including the number of breeding bitches at the establishment. We would also like the Department to have a central online database where the public can access all the information they need in one place. That would make it easier for people to cross-reference the information in an online advert with the dog breeding establishment licence number and make the best possible decision about where to source a new pet.

A man's best friend becoming a man's best profit is just cruel and exploitative. Many dogs surrendered to shelters are mutilated breeding bitches or farmed dogs that are never socialised properly because so many of the dog breeding establishments are now mechanised. Dog shelters are full of gorgeous dogs that need loving homes. If I were not a Deputy, I would replace my dog, but I am away from home so often and a dog needs company. I would have loved to have had a bit of a welcome home late last night.

"Adopt, don't shop" is not just a phrase; it is excellent advice and I urge everyone to take it. We are coming up to Christmas, which is the wrong time to buy a dog, so I hope people will not do that.

Photo of Paul DonnellyPaul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein)
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I thank Deputy Tóibín and the other Deputies who brought forward this important Bill. On a few occasions, I sat in on the committee meetings because I feel passionately and strongly about the mistreatment of dogs. I will declare my ownership of a husky, who was at the groomer's today getting ready for Christmas.

Anybody who owns dogs cherishes them. It is important that we look after them. Deputy Cronin referenced some of the issues and, therefore, I will not do so again. As I said, it is Thursday and we want to get out of here and go home. There are a couple of issues I would like to raise, however. The ratio of dogs is something we need to consider. It was said in committee that the ratio was 1:25. I find it impossible to think that dogs are able to socialise and be settled and cared for in some of these dog breeding establishments with such large numbers. Most animal and dog shelters work on a ratio of 1:6. A ratio of 1:25 is, therefore, quite high.

The committee also recommended that a maximum number of breeding bitches be established. The committee heard that some dog breeding establishments have up to 500 breeding bitches, which does not take into account sires or puppies. Incredibly, there could be up to 1,500 dogs on a premises at any given time. Anybody would find that a staggering number of dogs to be on one premises at any one time. Between staffing pressures and noise, it is impossible to produce a well-socialised, confident puppy from this setting. As these places are profit driven, I can only imagine that animals get the minimum of care and attention. Dog breeding establishments are increasingly using artificial insemination to maximise productivity and produce specific breeds, which have trouble breathing normally. Pugs, bulldogs and so-called designer breed are crosses of dogs that could not naturally mate. A new one on me is a Pomsky, which is a cross between a husky and a Pomeranian. According to veterinarians, these dogs display behavioural and physical issues. A veterinarian who appeared before the committee talked about a number of breeds that should not normally be together and cannot naturally be together. There are certain things happening with breeding and DNA. Things are happening within this dog breeding world that are not natural and should not be done. It can only happen in an unregulated manner. If we do not regulate this tightly, we will get these unscrupulous people whose only goal is profit. They do not care about the dogs because if they did, they would not be engaged in this type of activity.

We also heard how some illegal breeders carry out these practices without veterinary training, which is against the law. As Deputy Tóibín said, however, if we do not have people looking at this situation or regulating these breeders, they are liable to do anything they want. There has been a call for a complete ban on surgical AI and for all other AI services to be fully regulated. The Minister referenced in her speech that she was looking at the committee recommendations closely. That is an important issue. We cannot have this type of artificial insemination and this crossbreeding of dogs, which is unnatural and cruel. It is certainly cruel for the animals.

The inspection regime for dog breeding establishments is inconsistent. In some local authorities, a veterinarian carries out inspections; in others, it is the dog warden. Some local authorities are proactive in inspecting dog breeding establishments but others are not. To ensure we have uniform enforcement of animal welfare laws, inspections should be carried out independently of the local authority that grants the licence and receives the rates. I ask for that to be considered.

The online pet regulations have been in force since 2021, yet there has not been a single enforcement case taken, despite hundreds of complaints being lodged by animal welfare organisations. The committee report calls for preverification of all advertisements so that the contact details of the seller, dog breeding establishment licence number and dog microchip numbers are verified in advance and then traceable back to a central database. This would prevent unscrupulous puppy breeders selling dogs and then disappearing, leaving the purchaser with no comeback if the dog is sick or stolen. Currently, dog legislation falls under three Departments. For us to properly regulate this, it needs to be under one Department and one roof. Three Departments is unwieldy. That needs to be recognised.

As we are coming up to Christmas, we always get advertisements on the television and in the newspapers asking people not to buy animals and dogs as presents. However, the mass production of puppy farm-bred dogs during Covid-19 is now coming home to roost as people return to work. Shelters are swamped with dogs being left in or abandoned. Some of these dogs have behavioural issues as they reach the age of 12 to 18 months. Shelters and dog pounds are footing enormous bills looking after these dogs. While the puppy farms are making record profits, unfortunately, it is the volunteers, charities and people who care about dogs and animals who are left to foot the bill when it goes wrong. There must be accountability for bad breeders. The current and previous Governments have, unfortunately, allowed this unregulated mess to be created. We must take greater control of dog breeding in this country to ensure that we lose the title we hold. Unfortunately, we have the title of the puppy farm capital of Europe. I will finish by saying that no reputable breeder or anybody who cares about dogs or animals has anything to fear from greater regulation. In fact, good people will benefit from good regulation.

6:35 pm

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the debate. I thank the Deputies for bringing forward the Bill and for all their contributions. As I said earlier, the proposals in this private Members' Bill are consistent with my Department's overall objective to promote responsible dog breeding in Ireland. Deputy Donnelly mentioned crossbreeding, which is just awful. Mixing a small dog like a Pomeranian with a big dog really is just terrible.

I welcome the broad thrust of the proposals, particularly around enhanced enforcement by local authorities and ensuring dogs are kept in appropriate conditions. I am also supportive of increasing the maximum fines for summary convictions from €5,000 to €10,000. Local authorities are responsible for all operational matters with regard to dog breeding establishments, including the licensing, monitoring and inspection of dog breeding establishments and, where there is a serious and immediate threat to public health or animal health and welfare, the closure of such establishments. It is clear that we need to work closely with the local authorities in developing any legislation that affects their work and consider how best we can support them in that regard.

I mentioned the ongoing work and the consultation that led to revised guidelines for the operation of dog breeding establishments. There is more work planned on the legislation, which I hope to bring forward early in the new year. The guidelines for dog breeding establishments are important. They had a focus on improving the conditions for dogs and pups and they have made a difference. We now need to consider putting some of the changes we made to the guidelines on a stronger footing in law. The changes we made place a strong emphasis on the welfare and socialisation of dogs and pups, which is important. Dog ownership is a serious matter and carries serious responsibility. A happy, healthy pup is a good start on the dog ownership journey.

My Department is working to encourage responsible dog ownership. As a result of the guidelines and the relationship between my Department, local authority veterinarians and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, dogs bred in dog breeding establishments are now more likely to receive individual attention and be socialised properly before going to their homes. I accept that we can do more, and we will do more. That is not to take away from the responsible dog breeding establishments, which we know exist.

This work is now all the more important as dog ownership in Ireland is on the increase. As I said earlier, dogs make wonderful companions and are an addition to any home. I want to make sure that the experience of dog ownership is as good as it can be by strengthening the legislation on responsible breeding in order that more people can fully experience the joy of dog ownership.

I again thank the Deputies. I welcome the proposals in the Bill, which are consistent with my overall objectives to promote responsible dog breeding in Ireland.

As the other Deputies have said, we are coming close to Christmas and it always seems like a good idea to give somebody a dog, but we must remember that there are responsibilities with that and if a dog is given as a gift it is a long-term commitment to another member of the house. They have to be looked after to ensure that they are being taken care of. I thank the Deputies for bringing this Bill forward and I thank everybody for their contribution.

6:45 pm

Photo of Peadar TóibínPeadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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I am delighted that this Bill will now make it to Committee Stage. I thank the Minister for supporting the Bill and for allowing it through this Stage. I also thank Deputies Canney and Grealish for helping to bring the Bill this distance. I thank Deputies Donnelly and Cronin for their positive words in favour of animal welfare. This is one of the issues which very much unites everybody in here in that the relationships we have with our own pets are key and important ones.

It is also important that I put my own dog on the record. Rua is a 14-year-old cross between a red setter and a golden retriever. He is still going strong at that age. He runs the fields and the country roads and, as typical for a dog of his age, he is very laid back. He is henpecked by our three hens. They get a treat and he gets a clean, which is probably no harm for them. The cat is always wrecking his head on a daily basis as well.

I will finish with one story where I am reminded of a local artist in Navan, Patsy Reel, who some people may know. Patsy Reel had a lovely dog who lived in Ludlow Street in Navan. That dog used to travel three streets up the town by himself, go to a pedestrian crossing and wait for somebody to hit the lights so that he could cross the road. He would then go to the pet shop and bark outside it and the pet shop owner would throw him out a treat. At the end of the week Patsy Reel would go up to the pet shop and pay the tab himself. It was incredible.

Obviously, the relationship between families and pets is very important. It is fair to say that in that relationship, we owe a debt of gratitude to dogs and owe them a responsibility to ensure that they are protected and are treated humanely. Unfortunately, the reality is often very different. For some people, they only see pets and dogs as a source of big money and profit, and of enormous exploitation. Incredible damage is done to dogs on a daily basis, especially breeding animals, including injury, ill-health, lack of veterinary treatment when it is needed, no space at all to be the animal that it is, very poor diet, wet, cold and dirty conditions, and isolation. If we build a relationship with pets on the basis of that wrong, unjust and evil at the heart of it it is a sad reflection on the rest of society. It is important that this Bill plays a role in improving those conditions over the long term. Gabhaim buíochas leis na Comhaltaí go léir.

Question put and agreed to.

Cuireadh an Dáil ar athló ar 7.33 p.m. go dtí 2 p.m., Dé Máirt, an 29 Samhain 2022.

The Dáil adjourned at at 7.33 p.m. until 2 p.m. on Tuesday, 29 November 2022.