Cont: The inspection reports for dog breeding premises in Wales do clarify the number of units used and the type of construction used for dog breeding. This refers to the internal structure in the areas close to the dogs, often stating block and render. They fail to indentify what the actual construction that accommodates the dogs actually is or what it was previously used for. One may imagine that the dogs and puppies are living in a purpose built kennels block something similar to the ones seen on TV, for example those belonging to The Dogs Trust, specially built and fit for purpose.
In most cases this is far from the truth because one only has to look at planning applications, (although many
dog breeders have not applied for planning permission) to see that they are not purpose built kennels. Neither it is a question that seems to occur to Carmarthenshire Public Protection department to ask an applicant 'do you have planning permission' before granting a dog breeder a licence. For those breeders that have applied for planning permission the application is enlightening as one can read that the building is unlikely to be a purpose built kennel block but an redundant agriculture building or a barn previously used for agriculture use, with pens for sheep or calves, even a pig sty was the description given for more than one application and a poultry shed for another. I cannot say that an old building is never suitable, if properly adapted, equipped, with attached exercise runs which enable the dogs to have free exercise, to hear and see life outside their sleeping areas, human contact as well as shelter from the elements with raised beds and bedding. This could in some cases suffice providing the dogs are allowed to run and exercise in an enclosed outside area a good part of the day.
But this is not the case, without adaption these barns and agriculture units were used for agriculture, farm animals. The farmer would provide the cattle and sheep with straw for bedding, regular feed and water and care given when lambing or calving. A must because the farmers are regulated by Defra, all their cattle and sheep are identifiable and inspected by Defra vets a necessity for traceability because the animals are reared for the food chain. But when farmers diversify and go into dog breeding it is different matter, most seem to have the mindset that what was good enough living accommodation for the cattle and sheep is good enough for the dog, forgetting that a dog is a companion animal with very different needs. This is where Councils in Wales granting a dog breeders licence to dog breeders living on farms fail miserably to see the difference and accept what is good for one is equally adequate for the other, which is irresponsible and foolish because many farmers that breed dogs continue to adopt the same policies for their breeding bitches, stud dogs and litters of puppies as they did/do for their sheep and livestock, when their needs are so varied and different.
It maybe acceptable for a farmer to keep his sheepdogs (an invaluable asset to any farmer) who with the farmer will be active, often hours at a time, then when work is done for the dogs to live in a barn is common place and is not detrimental to its well being. But it is totally different when a farmer decides to make dog breeding a sideline by breeding from 20 to 196 breeding bitches and selling dogs to dealers and pet shops.
To use the same building as those used previously for farm animals without Councils ensuring before granting a licence that the building is renovated and fit for purpose with planning permission is unacceptable. More often than not there are no attached individual exercise runs which means that the dogs are confined in little concrete cells 24 hours each and every day. The inspection report will ask about exercise for the dogs and often the reply is 'dogs are exercised in the yard' in most cases this is far from the truth the dogs never see daylight. They live in solitude and in silence.
This failure by both the Councils and the dogs breeders/farmers to recognize the difference and ensure that the needs of companion animals cannot be compared with farm animals now means that many premises are accommodating between 20 and 196 or more dogs, breeding bitches in unsuitable buildings, which is the root of many of the problems, especially in the litters of puppies reared in these premises and for the breeding bitches and stud dogs that can spend a lifetime isolated from human company, other than briefly at feeding times and mating.
Going into agriculture farm building in winter it is freezing in summer the humidity is high if the barn is enclosed, a comment that is often referred to on inspection reports is, ventilation, if it was a summer inspection and flies.
The dogs are not always provided with a bed, those that are mostly have no or inadequate bedding. bakers trays, wooden pallets, cow mats are all that is usually provided. Not all according to the inspection reports have adequate whelping or isolation facilities, yet they have breeding bitches and dogs living in close proximity to each other. Hygiene and cleanliness is often questioned on the inspection reports indicating that some premises are not in compliance with their licence conditions.
Not all dog breeding premises have fire fighting equipment I would a have thought as matter of course before licensing premises they would need to have to have a fire inspection. But on speaking to the Fire Safety Officer covering an area in Wales a request by the Council has never been made for them to inspect before licensing. Many inspection reports state no fire extinguisher or the box not ticked, placing all dogs at risk in case of fire. Again not acceptable.
What of the dogs themselves that is another interesting matter? To be continued.
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