Responsible dog ownership summit: report

Mini round-table discussions on a range of key discission topics/questions

Question for Group Two

• What legislative measures should be considered in the medium to longer term to strengthen dog control and dog welfare in Scotland? – set out what should be the top three priorities to consider post summit ?

Suggestions included:

• The group agreed that there should be a national register of dog trainers, as currently anyone can set themselves up to be a dog trainer, with no formal training or qualifications required.
• The group would like to see a repeal of the breed specific legislation in the 1991 Act. It is recognised that many stakeholders have concerns about this aspect of the 1991 Act.
• The group considered that a code of practice for dog breeders/ dog breeding was required. This is an issue that has been exacerbated due to the increase in demand for dogs during and after the covid pandemic.