Committee
Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee 21 February 2024
21 Feb 2024 · S6 · Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee
Item of business
New Petitions
Dog Boarding Kennels (Fire Safety) (PE2058)
PE2058, on requiring all dog boarding kennels to install smoke detectors, smoke alarms and sprinkler systems, was lodged by Julie Louden. The petition calls on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to improve fire safety in dog boarding kennels by mandating the installation of smoke detectors, smoke alarms and sprinkler systems. The SPICe briefing explains that animal boarding establishments in Scotland must be licensed by local authorities under the Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963. That act requires that, in determining whether to grant a licence, a local authority shall have regard to the need for securing that appropriate steps will be taken for the protection of the animals in case of fire or another emergency. Conditions set at a local authority level can include more detailed requirements. However, I very much doubt that sprinkler systems were too widely applied or even available in 1963. The Scottish Government recently consulted on proposals to revoke the Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963 and instead regulate animal boarding under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Scotland) Regulations 2021. Its response to the petition states that that approach is being considered and that it could provide a more cohesive and robust framework for ensuring the wellbeing of animals that are being cared for. The issue and the petition are important.
In the same item of business
The Convener
Con
PE2058, on requiring all dog boarding kennels to install smoke detectors, smoke alarms and sprinkler systems, was lodged by Julie Louden. The petition calls ...
Maurice Golden
Con
I think that we should write to the Scottish Government to ask when its analysis of the responses to its consultation on the licensing of activities involvin...
The Convener
Con
Those suggestions seem to be very worth while.
Fergus Ewing
SNP
I support Mr Golden’s suggestions, but will add one inquiry that should be made, although I am not quite sure of whom. Obviously, we have legislation on spri...
The Convener
Con
That is also a perfectly reasonable suggestion to make. We will take forward the petition, mindful of all the suggestions that colleagues have made. I wonde...
Maurice Golden
Con
I do not know about boarding kennels. There is one at Happas, near Forfar. Edinburgh Cat and Dog Home deals with rehoming, and it might even have made an ass...
The Convener
Con
In view of Mr Ewing’s comments, it might be worth our asking one or two relevant associations what they believe the consequence of the proposal would be and ...
Fergus Ewing
SNP
I do not think that they are extremely profitable businesses.
The Convener
Con
No. Okay. We can do that, too.