New dog legislation, more wind and red tape

The issue of dangerous dogs has reared itself again in recent weeks. It appears animals are rightly featuring as an issue in the coming election.

Regardless of party politics I do not think anything that any of the political parties are proposing will really make a difference.

What is necessary is a way of controlling the trash-breeders who breed from their bitches over and over again, selling their puppies at whatever price or dumping them on rescue organisations. These people care little where the puppies go, and rarely take them back if things don't work out.

The principle source of customers for these trash-breeders is the classified ad and the pet shop window. This is what should be stopped first. The only people who should be allowed to advertise the sale of any animal should a person licensed to do so (and the license is already there for reputable dog breeders, though it will need to be toughened up a bit), plus charities and rescue organisations. Dog breeders would be required as many of them already do to involve vets in the care of the bitch, chip the puppies and home check the potential owners. The chipping then becomes more effective as this can be linked to any proposed (though ridiculous) insurance database.