Rating system for dog breeders is recommended

A COMPULSORY scoring system for licensed dog breeders similar to food hygiene ratings should be considered in Carmarthenshire and throughout Wales, a group of councillors said.

- RICHARD YOULE

It was one of the recommendations made by members of a council task and finish group who spent a year reviewing the work of the authority’s dog breeding licensing team.

The group's final report said there was evidence of a range of standards among licensed dog breeders in Carmarthenshire from those who met minimum standards to those who operated at a higher level.

The report said the impact of a Trading Standards-approved “buy with confidence” scheme was limited because it was voluntary and that options for a compulsory scoring system should be explored. If adopted it would be akin to the system by which premises handling food are rated from zero to five and display the rating at their entrance.

Dog breeders who took part in the group's review told councillors they felt unfairly scrutinised and penalised for being licensed when they said there were so many unlicensed operators.

The report said: “Licensed breeders in general want to do the best that they can, however they want there to be a fairer playing field.”

Carmarthenshire had 71 licensed breeders at the start of the review. It dropped to 53 - ten of whom had more than 100 dogs - as the review progressed, but the county was still said to have among the highest number of licensed breeders in England and Wales, including farmers who have diversified to supplement their income.