Cabinet agrees new greyhound breeding Bill

CONTROVERSIAL GREYHOUND breeding legislation, which caused tensions between the Government parties in the summer, was agreed by the Cabinet this week.

The Welfare of Greyhounds Bill 2010 will restrict the number of times female dogs can be bred to six, to address concerns about bitches carrying excessive numbers of litters, and set a minimum breeding age of 15 months.

Breaches of the proposed law could incur fines of up to €5,000 and a six-month prison sentence. Taoiseach Brian Cowen and Green Party leader and Minister for the Environment John Gormley have agreed to introduce the new codes of practice applying to the self-regulated greyhound industry by January 1st, 2011. It may be published next week under the auspices of the Department of Agriculture.

As a compromise measure between the Greens and Fianna Fáil to ensure the passage of the contentious Dog Breeding Establishments Act in July, it was agreed elements of that legislation relating to greyhounds could be inserted into an amended version of the 1958 Greyhound Industry Act.

Under the new Bill, establishments with four or more bitches over 15 months that have been used, or are being used, for breeding must be registered as breeding establishments. The operation of unregistered establishments will be outlawed, although a grace period will apply following the enactment of legislation to allow for registration.

While a bitch may generally have no more than six litters, up to two additional litters may be bred in cases where a vet authorises this will not harm the animal.

Welfare officers with powers to inspect establishments will be appointed by local authorities, the Irish Greyhound Board and the Irish Coursing Club. They will be able to give direction to allow for the destruction of greyhounds in pain, distress or acute states of neglect.

The Bill includes regulations for the identification of greyhounds, as well as traceability requirements when dogs are sold. The Bill does not apply to greyhounds owned as pets but to dogs entered in the Irish Greyhound Stud Book, including those in the racing and coursing industries. Litters born to greyhounds under 15 months cannot be registered and these dogs will not be permitted to race or be used at coursing events.

Differences between the Greens and a group of some 10 rural Fianna Fáil backbenchers over animal welfare legislation emerged ahead of the summer. Tipperary South TD Mattie McGrath lost the Fianna Fáil whip for voting against the law to ban stag hunting with packs of hounds in June. Mr McGrath also voted against the Coalition on the Dog Breeding Establishments Act, which dealt with so-called “puppy farms”.

Fianna Fáil Cork South West TD Christy O’Sullivan and Máire Hoctor of Tipperary North lobbied for the Hunting Association of Ireland to be exempt from the dog breeding legislation, but this was not permitted.

Although the voting intentions of a small number of Fianna Fáil deputies remained unclear until the very last moment, the legislation passed easily in the Dáil by 92 votes to 50, with the Labour Party voting with the Government.