The Greyhound Welfare Bill and Dog Breeding Establishment Bill, among the first bills signed into law by President Michael D Higgins, will significantly improve animal welfare and protection.
This is the view of Independent Galway West TD Noel Grealish, who is now calling on the Government to ensure adequate funding is allocated for regular inspections of puppy farms.
“The recent TV3 programme The Truth About Puppy Farms highlighted the level of animal neglect and cruelty by some unscrupulous dog breeders in Ireland,” he said. “Delays in signing both bills into law meant that puppy farms could continue to operate without regulation and in substandard conditions.”
Dep Grealish said the new bills will lead to “much higher standards” in animal welfare and dog breeding.
“Dogs are defenceless animals, who have suffered due to a lack of regulation and neglect by some ruthless breeders,” he said. “I hope these new laws will stamp out cruelty in the dog breeding industry in Ireland.”
