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New plans for crackdown on backstreet breeding
The proposals were welcomed by the RSPCA as the ‘biggest change in pet vending for 66 years’.
Defra proposals to tackle irresponsible breeding and online adverts 

New proposals to crack down on backstreet breeders were outlined by Defra today (22 December).

Plans include ensuring licensed dog breeders can only sell puppies they have bred themselves and that puppies are shown with their mother before a sale is made.

Adverts, including internet adverts, will be regulated so that licensed sellers of all pets, including puppies, must include the seller’s licence number, country of origin and the pet’s country of residence in any advert.

The government is also proposing to tighten regulations, so that puppy sales are completed in the presence of the new owner, preventing online sales where the buyer has not seen the animal first.

Legislation introducing these proposals could be brought forward early in 2018.

Defra is also considering measures to tackle puppy smuggling across borders and the breeding of dogs with harmful genetic disorders.

Commenting on the reforms, Prime Minister Theresa May said: “Any unscrupulous mistreatment of animals is disturbing – so in our drive to achieve the highest animal welfare standards in the world, we continually look at what more can be done.

“The arrival of a happy, healthy puppy, as I know myself, is a memorable time for a family – but it’s absolutely right we do everything we can to eradicate animal cruelty from our society. The proposals my government is developing will be an important step forward.”

The proposals were welcomed by the RSPCA as the ‘biggest change in pet vending for 66 years’. The charity received over 4,000 calls relating to the puppy trade in England this year, compared to just under 2,000 calls in 2013.

RSPCA dog welfare expert, Lisa Hens, said: “The RSPCA has long held grave concerns for the many dogs who continue to suffer ill-health and welfare because they have been bred primarily for how they look. ​

“We believe that all those who breed dogs - whether pedigree, purebred or crossbreed - should prioritise health, welfare and temperament over appearance when choosing which animals to breed, in order to protect the welfare of both the parents and offspring​, and welcome​ proposals to address this.”

 

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RCVS Knowledge appoints Veterinary Evidence editor-in-chief

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has welcomed Professor Peter Cockcroft as editor-in-chief for Veterinary Evidence.

A world-renowned expert in evidence-based veterinary medicine, Prof Cockcroft will lead the strategic development and editorial quality of the open-access journal. He was previously in the role from 2017-2020.

Katie Mantell, CEO of RCVS Knowledge, said: "We are excited about the extensive knowledge of evidence-based veterinary medicine and clinical veterinary research that Peter brings, and we look forward to working with him over this next phase of the journal's development." 

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News Shorts
CVS Group hit by cyber attack

CVS Group, which owns more than 450 veterinary practices in the UK, has been hit by a cyber attack.

In a statement, the group said the incident involved unauthorised external access to a limited number of its IT systems. As soon as the attack was discovered, the group took its IT systems temporarily offline, causing 'considerable operational disruption'.

It has warned that the security steps taken and ongoing plans to move its operational systems and IT infrastructure to the Cloud are likely to have an ongoing impact over a number of weeks.

Due to the risk that personal information was accessed, CVS has informed the Information Commissioner's Office. The company is working with third party consultants to investigate the incident.