Between 2014 and 2015 in the UK the local authorities handled 102,363 stray or abandoned dogs. 5,142 stray dogs were put to sleep by the UK Local authorities between 2014 and 2015. This is due to people buying dogs, then abandoning them. Dogs will get abandoned once they are no longer puppies, if they are too much work, if they misbehave, if they become too expensive or if they are no longer a popular breed. One way to help reduce the amount of dogs that are getting abandoned is by reducing the amount of dogs that are getting over bred, or being bred for for money purposes.  

This petition is created to see if we can get the government to change the legislation on the breeding of dogs in the UK.

Currently the government legislation on dog breeding states that:

• Any person who keeps a breeding establishment for dogs at any premises and carries on at those premises a business of breeding dogs for sale must obtain a licence from the local council.

• Those people who are not in the business of breeding dogs for sale, so called “hobby breeders”, and produce less than 5 litters in any period of 12 months do not need a licence.

Local councils are responsible for enforcing the legislation. In addition to ensuring that dogs are kept in suitable accommodation, the law also places limits on the frequency and timing of breeding from a bitch.

• Bitches cannot be mated before they are a year old.

• Bitches must have no more than 6 litters in a lifetime.

• Bitches can only have one litter every 12 months.

• Breeding records must be kept to ensure that these requirements are adhered to.

In order to help reduce the number of stray/abandoned dogs in the UK, there should be a new legislation stating that:

• Anyone who wishes to breed a dog has to have a license, regardless of how many litters they plan to produce.

• All breeders should only be allowed to breed 5 different bitches a year.

• Bitches cannot be mated before the age of 1 year

• Bitches can only have 1 litter every year.

• Bitches can only have 3 litters in their lifetime, to ensure all puppies and mothers are in good health

• To ensure that the Bitch only has 3 litters, they should be neutered. Neutering bitches after the 3rd litter means there is no way to over breed the bitch and will also provide the bitch with other health benefits.

• Breeding records must be kept to ensure that these requirements are adhered to.

If the law changes it will reduce the amount of dogs available to abandon and the amount of dogs who are used for money. Dogs should be family pets, not a source of income. If the amount of abandoned dogs reduce it will also reduce the amount of dogs which are put to sleep.