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Animal welfare columnist, broadcaster and vet Pete Wedderburn is encouraging members of the public to respond to the Veterinary Council of Ireland's public consultation on surgical artificial insemination.
The Vet Council is inviting “comments, suggestions and views to inform the Veterinary Council as it considers a position on canine surgical artificial insemination”.
Submissions can be emailed to info@vci.ie before the deadline this Wednesday 29th November 2023. Find out more at https://vci.ie/Utility/News/20023/Public-consultation-on-Canine-Surgical-Artificial
In his latest column, “Pete the Vet” highlights the “obvious welfare concerns”, pointing out that “the female dog is having a surgical operation, which is not needed for any other artificial insemination technique.”
He explains that in surgical AI, “the dog is anaesthetised, an incision is made into their abdomen, and the semen is placed directly into the uterus”.
The highly invasive operation has been performed hundreds of times on greyhounds in Ireland in recent years.
It is already against the law in the UK, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands.
The British Veterinary Association has stated that “experts say it is highly unethical and painful for bitches due to the subsequent pregnancy putting pressure on abdominal wounds”.
The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons notes that “Surgical Artificial Insemination is prohibited by UK animal welfare legislation which legally restricts mutilations to animals (i.e. procedures which interfere with sensitive tissue or bone structure)”.
Responding to a Dail Question from Neasa Hourigan TD, Minister McConalogue revealed that the procedure was carried out 501 times on greyhounds since 2019, including 87 in 2022, 133 in 2021, 142 in 2020 and 139 in 2019.
Mr Wedderburn notes in his column that one of the recommendations made by the Government's Working Group on Control of Dogs was a prohibition on surgical artificial insemination in dogs, including greyhounds.
“Currently, this is allowed in rare circumstances,” he outlines, adding “There's a strong argument that it should never be allowed at all.”
“The policy of vets and veterinary organisations across Europe is clear: to ensure the welfare of all dogs, including greyhounds...surgical AI should not be performed under any circumstances,” Mr Wedderburn emphasises. “If you agree with this, make sure your own voice is heard: visit the Veterinary Council website (https://www.vci.ie/ and make your own submission on this topic.”
In April of this year, the office of the Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue confirmed to ICABS that a ban on surgical artificial insemination “will be implemented”.
Download the Working Group’s report at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/0d6d7-working-group-on-control-of-dogs/#report-of-the-working-group-on-the-control-of-dogs
Read Pete Wedderburn's full column - To vets, “AI” means artificial insemination
https://www.independent.ie/regionals/wexford/lifestyle/pete-wedderburn-to-vets-ai-means-artificial-insemination/a1594697456.html
SEE ALSO
Pete the Vet: Greyhounds must not be excluded from surgical AI ban
https://banbloodsports.wordpress.com/2023/05/12/pete-the-vet-greyhounds-must-not-be-excluded-from-surgical-ai-ban/
Ban on surgical AI in dogs ‘will be implemented’
https://banbloodsports.wordpress.com/2023/04/14/ban-on-surgical-ai-in-dogs-will-be-implemented/