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Christine Grahame MSP

Summer Newsletter 2024

Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale Constituency

Welfare of Dogs (Scotland) Bill

Pictured above with Sasha, a dog now rehomed by Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home

I have introduced a Member's Bill to parliament, the Welfare of Dogs (Scotland) Bill, which is currently going through the legislative process. As part of this I ran a public consultation on my proposals which you can read the responses to below. My proposals aim to better regulate dog breeding and buying by putting certain responsibilities on both breeders and owners to ensure the welfare of the animal. This will encourage people to think seriously about the responsibilities of dog ownership and to buy from reputable breeders rather than feeding into irresponsible puppy farms with poor conditions and unhealthy dogs.

With between 70,000 and 190,000 new puppies every year in Scotland, the dog breeding trade has become a lucrative source of income for many unscrupulous dealers and organised crime groups, to the detriment of the dogs and their new owners who often end up with a very sickly puppy.

The consequence of such practices are too many dogs ending up with chronic health conditions from irresponsible breeding or in rehoming centres having gone to a home that was wholly unsuitable in the first place.

Following the public consultation closing on 30th July 2018 the Bill was drafted and is now progressing through the legislative process. You can read more about any developments with it on the parliament's website.

Consultation Responses

Please click on the headings below to read the responses in full (responses on behalf of organisations are highlighted in purple):

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