ISPCA concern at foxhound exemption

THE EXEMPTION of foxhounds from microchipping may create a loophole for rogue breeders, the ISPCA said yesterday.

The Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009, aimed at preventing animal abuse in so-called “puppy farms”, will be voted on in the Dáil this week.

ISPCA chairwoman Barbara Bent said yesterday: “Rogue breeders can be creative to use these loopholes for their own advantage. If there are loopholes the next thing there will be deerhounds, wolfhounds not being microchipped.”

Minister for the Environment John Gormley told the Dáil on Friday the chipping of hunting dogs would be delayed for a year as a concession to hunt clubs. He said the adequacy of tattooing for traceability would be assessed in a review of the law, to take place a year after it came into force.

However, the ISPCA said amendments such as these meant the Bill would be watered down.

It said the number of unregistered pups being sold from Ireland to the UK which were meant to be registered caused concern. Irish breeders estimated they produced 90,000 dogs last year and exported 45,000 mostly to the UK. However, 717 pedigree pups were registered for export last year by the Irish Kennel Club, which is the only official body to register pedigree puppies for export.

The ISPCA asked if this meant that all of the 44,300 other dogs which were exported last year were mongrels. “These figures suggest that the UK market is being flooded with unregistered pups that are supposed to be pedigree.”

It emphasised the consequences for dogs if the Bill is not passed. “A life of deprivation, neglect and suffering will be the lot for thousands of breeding bitches throughout Ireland.”