Last updated:
8th August 2023
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Dog Breeding/Selling
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I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 regarding a question I have about dog breeding licences.
1. Is it legal for someone who has a dog breeding licence to retain legal ownership of a dog and hold breeding rights over that dog, but for the dog to live in another location (not the address listed on the licence) with another family/person i.e. a proxy owner (also not listed on the licence)?
2. If this is allowed, would the number of dogs held at other locations with proxy owners be included in the number of dogs listed on the licence?
3. In this scenario would the licensee be able to sell puppies from this dog that is kept at a separate location?
4. Would a breeding licence be issued for any of the above scenarios? Would a different licence be needed to carry this out (e.g. a pet shop licence)?
5. What advice would the council give to someone who is seeking to do the above when applying for a dog breeding licence?
Please give explanations with answers to the above questions.
WBC contract Animal Welfare inspections to City of London (CoL). We have consulted with City of London concerning this request. It is recognised by WBC that questions raised through this FOI look to ascertain officer’s opinion rather than actual information that is held. We also note that no corporate opinions are held on record with CoL. Therefore, WBC does not find it appropriate to provide a comment under the FOIA.
However, to assist you with progressing your enquiry please see link below to the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) Regulations 2018 which contains the legal requirements for dog breeders.
The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 (legislation.gov.uk)
This further link will take you to the statutory guidance for dog breeding and provides explanatory text on how operators can demonstrate they meet the general and specific conditions. This is the guidance we follow when carrying out our functions under the Regulations. Only a court can determine whether a condition has been met or not when deciding whether an offence has been committed.
Dog breeding licensing: statutory guidance for local authorities - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
You may find the general condition 3.2 and specific condition 1.1 useful in determining the answers to your questions.
