Jun 11
29
Calgary’s head of bylaw enforcement has said that Calgary officials are looking into setting new rules and standards when it comes to dog breeding in the city. Bill Bruce has said that “community engagement will be a big part of the process come this fall to determine what properties should be used for the practice.”
This is a great step forward for those of us concerned about the perils of commercialized dog breeding. Care of the animals is foremost, we’re not talking puppy mills here. But there is a huge ethical problem with back yard breeders flooding the city with puppies who later end up in Dog Rescue organizations or worse, destroyed.
“What we are going to be looking at is regulations around people who breed dogs — what’s appropriate in a residential area and what is not. We are going to look at should this be something the city is controlling ” Bill says.
It’s currently legal for people in Calgary to breed dogs so long as they follow some rules related to clean, well ventilated conditions, care and feeding as per animal welfare laws. In Calgary breeders must also have a business license if planning on breeding more than 1 litter per female each year.
For someone without a license, that would be a lot of dogs per year for some of these breeders who own several females. Personally I feel this practice needs to be abandoned all together. Don’t get me wrong, some of the most lovable mutts you’ll ever shake a paw with have been the product of these backyard breeders. But there is just too much ugly tragedy that goes along with this practice.
According to the bylaw people, they are getting more complaints than ever from people who live near dog breeding operations. The smell and the noise being the worst. The increase in complaints is what is prompting the push for more regulation. It could include standards surrounding care and cleanliness inside and outside of the home. Also it could make it required for all breeders to have a license depending on the volume and frequency of breeding.
I would suggest all passionate dog lovers who feel that puppies are not products should follow this story intently so when the time does come this fall we can make our voices heard.
I would encourage you to leave your comments in the section below and use the buttons here to subscribe so that you can catch coming updates to this story as they are posted.
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There are lots of dogs without homes. I’m not against breeding in general but there are lots of people making a commercial enterprise out of puppies. Calgary dog shelters have enough dogs now.
Increased licencing is just a cash grab for the city and comes with no real improvements for the animals themselves. Rather than restricting the practice of breeding dogs or cats for that matter, or creating monopolies for who is allowed to sell them – why not improve the expectations for what is considered “ethical breeding practice”. Pet animals should be spayed/neueterd before placement and should go to their new homes current on their vaccines. The only animals not being spayed/neuetered should be going to registered kennels and catteries. It should be illegal to sell an animal intact if it is not going to a breeder. unaltered animals producing unplanned breedings are responsible for the majority of shelter issues – not wanted pets sold to paying buyers. the problem is that irresponsible buyers do not follow through with the often contracted spay or neueter of their pet. It is now possible for vets to spay/neueter as early as 8 weeks. This procedure should be done before the animal goes to their new home.
I agree that often bylaws are simply about fees and not improvement of the city as a whole but in this case I think the call for stricter controls are supposedly coming from community members due to complaints of noise and sanitation issues. You cannot regulate ethics or common sense unfortunately.