Written question asked by Elliot Morley (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 11 February 1997. It was answered by Tom Sackville (Conservative) on Tuesday, 11 February 1997 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: Pursuant to his Answer of 24th January, Official Report, 288 c754-5W, if local authorities can impose licence conditions on dog breeders who own licensed establishments.

Answer: Mr. Morley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 24 January, Official Report, columns 754-55, if local authorities can impose licence conditions on dog breeders who own licensed establishments. [15449] Mr. Sackville: In considering whether to grant a licence under the Breeding of Dogs Act 1973, a local authority is required to ensure that the following conditions are met: that the dogs will at all times be kept in accommodation suitable as respects construction, size of quarters, number of occupants, exercising facilities, temperature, lighting, ventilation and cleanliness; that the dogs will be adequately supplied with suitable food, drink and bedding material, adequately exercised and, so far as necessary, visited at suitable intervals; that all reasonable precautions will be taken to prevent and control the spread among dogs of infectious or contagious diseases; that appropriate steps will be taken for the protection of the dogs in case of fire or other emergency; and that all appropriate steps will be taken to secure that the dogs will be provided with suitable food, drink and bedding material and adequately exercised when being transported to or from the breeding establishment. A local authority has discretion to specify other relevant conditions, and can withhold a licence if any condition so specified is not met.

Secondary information