Dogs Trust Delivers 60,000 Signatures to Chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice Calling for Tougher Punishments for Puppy Farmers

Dogs Trust and Chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice holding sign showing signatures on puppy farming petition

8th June 2023

Last November, we launched an emotive campaign entitled “Puppy Farms are a Life Sentence” to highlight the cruelty and suffering endured by dogs who live on puppy farms and the often-lenient punishments given to those who contravene the law.

As part of this campaign, we asked the public to support our call for tougher punishments for puppy farmers by signing our online petition. Today, we presented this petition, containing 59,907 signatures to Deputy James Lawless, Chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice.

Organisations like Dogs Trust see so many dogs coming in from puppy farms with significant behavioural problems. This is why it’s so important that there is greater enforcement on those who act outside of the Dog Breeding Establishments Act, especially those who are engaged in illegal puppy farming. As part of the government’s drive to review and improve legislation in this area, work is ongoing to identify any necessary legislative amendments to the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 that may be required. I know first-hand just how much happiness a dog can bring to a person or a family’s life. We know that better socialised puppies, housed in appropriate accommodation, make for better pets. There must be zero tolerance for the cruelty or neglect of any puppy or dog. Studies have shown that where there is a focus on socialisation in the first few weeks of a puppy’s life, there is a smoother transition to life in a family home.

Deputy Lawless

Sadly we have seen the horror in too many dogs’ eyes because of the cruelty and neglect they suffer on puppy farms. Many mums are so distressed and shut down when they enter our care that they don’t bark or make a sound. As a charity, we are often left to pick up the medical and behavioural expenses of getting these poor dogs to a condition where they can be rehomed. It is soul destroying to see the meagre penalties incurred by those responsible, which is often less than they would charge for one puppy. It’s not a deterrent and will not help to stamp out this vile trade, we want to see change.

Suzie Carley, Executive Director, Dogs Trust Ireland