A new not-for-profit organisation, Dog Advocacy Ireland (DAI) has launched with the ambitious aim to tackle puppy farming – as well as “the apparent disregard of statutory animal welfare legislation” – in Ireland.
Dublin-based John O’Callaghan, Founder and DAI’s Trustee, said: “I’m ashamed that the Republic of Ireland is coined the ‘puppy farming capital of Europe’. Apart from flying in the face of legislation, these dog breeding establishments yield over €200 million euros in ‘dark’ tax money annually, which is arguably mis-appropriated.”
DAI’s aim is to introduce an ‘All-Party’ Parliamentary Dog Advocacy Group within the Oireachtas to bring animal welfare and responsible ownership at the centre of the stage, “informing, advising, discussing and guiding legislative policy helping Government be accountable for Animal Welfare issues, currently diluted across parties and departments”.
Many of the puppies bred in Irish puppy farms facing long journeys in precarious conditions. Once the puppies are in Britain, unscrupulous puppy sellers will act as a front, pretending to be reputable breeders and selling on the pups to unsuspecting members of the public.
Vet and columnist Pete Wedderburn, a supporter of DAI, said, “I’m delighted to support the Dog Advocacy Ireland initiative. While there have been many advances for dog welfare in Ireland over the past 20 years, we still have much to achieve, from better control of so-called puppy farms to more effective implementation of microchip and dog license legislation, and much, much, more besides. I’m very excited that this new group is going to tackle this proactively.”
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