Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 September 2020
874. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which the online sales of dogs is regulated; if this will be reviewed in view of the recent increase in dog thefts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23445/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2019, my Department introduced the Animal Health and Welfare (Sale or Supply of Pet Animals) Regulations (SI 681 of 2019), with a view to further controlling the sale and supply of pet animals, in the interests of supporting the welfare of animals and bringing greater transparency to the sale and supply of pets. The Regulations require anyone selling or supplying more than six pet animals a year to register with my Department. Advertisements of pet animals are required to contain certain information about the animals. These Regulations, which were welcomed by animal welfare charities on their introduction, are part of the on-going work of my Department towards improved animal health and welfare.
Also in 2019, my Department issued a voluntary Code of Practice for use by sellers or suppliers of pet animals, which contains guidelines on animal welfare for a range of species, and is available on my Department’s website. The Code and information about the new Regulations were sent to pet shops, animal welfare charities that receive ex gratia payments from my Department and to the Department of Rural and Community Development in respect of Dog Breeding Establishments, which fall under that Department's remit. Information about the Code and new Regulations was also transmitted by press release from my Department, and through an ad placed in national newspapers at the time the Regulations were introduced.
These initiatives are aimed at improving the welfare of animals in the context of their sale and supply. They are in addition to general animal health and welfare legislative requirement, as well as in the case of dogs, controls under the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010, where applicable.
My Department takes an active role in the issue of the welfare of pets being sold and supplied at the European level, as a member of a group of a number of EU Member States and animal welfare charities established to consider issues relating to the pet trade. The Department participates in the Irish Pet Advertising Advisory Group (IPAAG), a group formed in 2015 by a number of animal welfare organisations, veterinary professionals and classified advertising websites to address irresponsible advertising of pets online. Officials of my Department have engaged with and will continue to engage constructively with members of IPAAG, on the issue of online advertising and enforcement of the new Regulations.
The Microchipping of Dogs Regulations 2015 set out requirements in relation to the microchipping of dogs, and registration of chips with dog identification databases. The Regulations may be enforced by any authorised officer under that Act. This includes officers of my Department, An Garda Siochána, dog wardens, members of the local authority veterinary service, Customs agents and officers of the ISPCA and DSPCA.
