WQ94384 (e) Tabled on 04/10/2024

What assessment has the Cabinet Secretary made of the levels of illegal cat and dog breeding in Wales?

Answered by Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs | Answered on 14/10/2024

Our capacity to investigate and stop illegal breeding has significantly increased due to the Welsh Government funded local authority enforcement project - Animal Licensing Wales. The project supports significant measures to ensure high welfare standards dog breeding establishments, these include tackling barriers to enforcement of existing regulations and increasing the capacity of local authorities to investigate reports of illegal breeding.

Officials in the Animal Welfare team will continue to work closely with third sector organisations, police forces and local authorities to promote responsible dog ­­­­­­breeding and ownership in Wales.