'Pedigree Dogs Exposed – Three Years On' prompts reaction
The broadcast of the program 'Pedigree Dogs Exposed – Three Years On' (BBC4, 9pm on Monday 27th February 2012) in which issues surrounding the breeding of pedigree dogs were explored by Jemima Harrison has prompted responses from the Dogs Trust, the Kennel Club, and a Past President of the British Veterinary Association (BVA).
Commenting, Past President of the BVA Mr Harvey Locke said “Programmes like this highlight the importance of educating dog owners on the health implications of bad breeding and how to go about buying a puppy. There is a need to tackle irresponsible dog breeding from all breeds, not just pedigree breeds, and the BVA will continue to lobby government to improve legislation around dog breeding establishments. We are also looking forward to the launch of the BVA Animal Welfare Foundation and RSPCA puppy contract at the end of March. The veterinary profession has a key role to play not only in helping to gather scientific data on inherited diseases in dogs but also in reporting the surgical correction of poor conformation.”
Also commenting, Chief Executive of Dogs Trust Clarissa Baldwin OBE said “We are pleased that this documentary has drawn attention to the unscrupulous breeders who fall under the radar of regulation and churn out puppies for profit with little or no regard for their welfare or the breeding bitches left behind to continue the cycle. Dogs Trust has long been calling on the government to strengthen the Breeding and Sale of Dogs Act to tackle this issue. We urgently need to see the full force of the law applied to breeders who allow their breeding stock to continue to have litters when scientific knowledge has determined that their stock is unhealthy.”
Furthermore, Manager of the Kennel Club Assured Breeder Scheme Bill Lambert said “There are some extremely serious issues affecting dog health and welfare but sadly the vast majority of dog breeders in this country are effectively unregulated. This means that disreputable breeders can get away with breeding dogs, whether crossbreed or pedigree, for money and fashion at the expense of welfare.”
“That is why the Kennel Club established its Assured Breeder Scheme in 2004, which sets high welfare standards for and monitors breeders. This is the only scheme of its kind in the country and the Kennel Club is lobbying the government to make the principles that Assured Breeders follow mandatory for all.”
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
