Meeting of the Parliament 09 May 2024
I think that that makes a lot of sense. It has been suggested that there could be type-specific information, too, but we could very quickly start to go down a number of rabbit holes, as we have seen with other dog-related legislation.
Although failure to comply with the code would not be an offence in itself, we should remember that the intent of the bill is to educate and encourage, not to punish. In that case, it is perhaps better thought of as a means of encouraging people to pause and think when acquiring a dog.
There has also been disagreement on whether the code should be a new stand-alone one or an update to the 2010 code of practice on dog ownership. The Scottish SPCA makes a good argument for having a combined code, pointing out that it would be easier to prove in an investigation that someone should have had knowledge of a single source of information rather than multiple sources.
Part 2, which the Scottish Government is seeking to remove at stage 2, would prohibit the first owner of a litter from selling or transferring it within 12 months of birth without registering it on a database. That would cover litters that fall outside the current regulations. Inevitably, the provision focuses on low-volume breeders, such as families with pets who are having puppies. By contrast, the Kennel Club points out that the focus should be on properly enforcing the existing regulations aimed at high-volume breeders. I also note the minister’s comments that registration does not come with the same welfare responsibilities as licensing, which might create a false sense of assurance in potential buyers.
I am supportive of a centralised database of puppies that are being sold—or of improved interoperability between the existing databases. Indeed, Christine Grahame and the minister have already mentioned the potential of microchipping to aid greater traceability.
The Scottish Conservatives agree with the principles behind the bill, because we want to see healthy, happy dogs as a result of more responsible ownership. We will therefore vote for the bill at stage 1.
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