Review extended over dog breeding concerns
Concerns over dog breeding have prompted the Irish government to extend their consultation on the review of the Implementation of the Welfare of Animals Act 2011.
Announcing the extension, a spokesman from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) said: "In 2014 Minister O’Neill and Minister Ford initiated a review of the implementation of the Welfare of Animals Act 2011.
"As a first step in that review process, DARD conducted a series of evidence gathering stakeholder discussion sessions during the summer of 2014. The purpose of this targeted consultation was to take the views of those most closely involved with the issues.
"Stakeholders raised the issue of enforcement of breeding establishments and that issue is being addressed in the review as the Welfare of Animals (Dog Breeding Establishments and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2013 are made under this Act.
"Given the recent concerns raised in relation to dog breeding, the closing date for the consultation has been extended to the 21 May 2015 to provide additional time for people to provide their views."
The consultation document can be found on the DARD website.
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