Table Summary of main legislation relating to the trade, sale and breeding of dogs in the UK How effective is it at dealing with the trade? Legislation What it does Breeding of puppies Breeding of Dogs Act 1973 (England and Scotland) Breeding and Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 1999 (England and Scotland) Animal Welfare (Breeding of Dogs) (Wales) Regulations 2014 Dogs (Licensing and Identification) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 Microchipping of Dogs (England) Regulations 2015 Microchipping of Dogs (Scotland) Regulations 2016 Microchipping of Dogs (Wales) Regulations 2015 Sets conditions for licensing of commercial dog breeding establishments; dogs cannot be sold before weeks of age Enforcement is a challenge; allows licensing of any dog breeders but it is only mandatory for those breeding over five (England) or three litters (Wales) a year Makes it compulsory to identify a dog from weeks and ensure that its details are kept up to date This is a relatively recent requirement in England and Wales and consequently is difficult to evaluate Approximately 15 % of dogs are not yet microchipped and enforcement is expected to be challenging as, it will be difficult to ensure owner’s details are updated and it is not seen as a priority area for local authorities (enforcers) and they have not been provided with any extra resources to so Identification of dogs Breeding and Selling of Companion Animals Issue (continued ) 27