Ethical issues of dog breeding in

New ZealandWhat is considered “right” or

“wrong”??

By Tamzyn Cartwright

Objectives:• To explore issues about an

ethical topic like dog breeding in New Zealand

• To discuss issues surrounding different ways

of dog breeding

What are Ethics?o Moral principles, rules (personal or imposed) that may influence a person

or groups behaviour or choices.

Positives and Negatives for: The Animal The Owner Society

What needs to be considered?

1. Freedom from hunger and thirst2. Freedom from discomfort3. Freedom from pain, injury and

disease with rapid diagnosis and treatment

4. Freedom from fear and distress5. Free to display normal behaviour

The Five Freedoms:

So, what is dog breeding?

O The mating of specific dogs where (usually) the intent is to produce or maintain specific quality's or characteristics in offspring.

Looks Behaviour Breed specific characteristics Companionship, working/hunting

dogs

NZKC accredited breeders

O Must adhere to specific guidelines or they put their reputation and registration at risk, some of these include:

• MUST be familiar with and adhere to the Animal welfare (dogs) Code of Welfare

• Regulations on how old/young to begin/cease breeding bitches and how many litters is acceptable

• Efforts made to ensure the genetic make up of both dog and bitch wont result in inherited disorders

• Rules on in-breeding

Types of breeders:

non NZKC registered breeders

O Non animal welfare (dogs) code of welfare 2010 standards

O No strict regulations to adhere to eg. Number of litters a bitch will have in her life

O No regulations for puppy vaccinations, health checks or socialisation of the puppies or age which the puppies are weaned from the mother

O Puppy mills!O Not all bad, some people do put the time

and effort into raising puppies right and doing health checks etc

Types of breeders:

O Very likely non animal welfare (dogs) code of welfare 2010 standards

O Animals housed in over-crowded, dirty cages without proper veterinary care

O 5 freedoms probably not in place e.g. dogs sleeping where they have to defecate, adequate food and water, shelter.

O Un-socialised: people and other animalsO No regulations regarding breeding

procedures eg bitches are likely bred from nearly every heat

Types of breedersPuppy mills or puppy farms

Puppy Mills

So, what is a “Puppy Mill”??

O “A puppy mill, sometimes known as a puppy farm, is a commercial dog breeding facility that is operated with an emphasis upon profits above animal welfare and is often in substandard conditions regarding the well-being of dogs in their care”.

O In 2010 60 minutes uncovered several puppy mills surrounding Gisborne where between 50-100 dogs were being kept at a time

O Puppies from a puppy mill involved were being supplied to Animates, the largest pet/supplies store chain in the country.

O Earlier this year 11 puppies died that were allegedly supplied from a commercial purpose built barn holding up to 100 dogs at a time.

O The breeder, Vet nurse Julie Poulton stated “I meet recommended best practice according to the animal welfare act 2010”

O "When you've got that many animals you can't realistically give each individual the time or the care it really needs to be socialised. It doesn't have that family environment.” - Carolyn Press-McKenzie, of animal welfare charity Huha (Helping You Help Animals) stated about the facility

http://www.3news.co.nz/Groups-look-to-tighten-puppy-mill-laws/tabid/423/articleID/299084/Default.aspx

Puppy mills in New Zealand

Positives and Negatives

For the animal:

Positives:• Well socialised

(dogs and people)

• Five freedoms met

• Likely to have vet checks/vaccinations done

• Happy dog

Negatives: Is there any??

NZKC registered breeders

For the breeder:

Positives:• Healthier

dogs/puppies• Get reputation

as a reputable breeder

Negatives:• Cost more

money (vax’s, space to hold animals, puppy food etc)

For society:

Positives:• Well

socialised pet• Healthier pet• Less vet costs

Negatives:• May cost

more to purchase puppy (but worth it in the long run?)

Positives and NegativesNon NZKC registered breeders

For the animal:

Positives:• Well socialised if

bought up in family home

• May get health check/vaccinations

Negatives:• No regulations

regarding any breeding procedures

• Five freedoms may/may not be met

For the breeder:

Positives:• Cheaper: no

regulations for vet checks etc

Negatives:• May not be

able to easily find homes for puppies (end up in shelters)

For Society:

Positives:• Cheaper to buy (no

papers)• Well socialised if

bought up in family environment

Negatives:• No guarantee on

health of puppy• May be un-

socialised• High vet costs

Positives and NegativesNon NZKC puppy

millsFor the animal:

Positives: Are there any?

Negatives:• Un-healthy

( likely no vet checks etc)

• Un-socialised

• Five freedoms not met

• Probably bred from every heat

• In bred

For the breeder:

Positives:• Cheaper (less

food, vet bills)• Fit more dogs in

a smaller space• More

profit/productivity

Negatives:• Buyers may

reject puppies because they are sick/see were they came from

For Society:

Positives: Are there any?

Negatives:• Un-socialised

pet

• More vet costs (hereditary diseases from inbred pups etc)

• No history on pups parents etc

So what can be done?

Technically what the breeders are doing is not illegal; as long as the animals have food, water and shelter they are not breaking the law

There are minimum standards but even if these are broken it is not breaking the law, though it can be used as evidence

"They give them water, food and shelter, but we actually want to make them accountable for the animals' welfare."- Mrs Press McKenzie representative from HUHA

Change needs to happen!

HOW? Changes to the Law

Set Codes of Welfare

Awareness/Education

Changes to the Law Illegal not to follow the set Code of Welfare

standards

Harsher punishments for perpetrators; fines or imprisonment not just a slap on the wrist!

Seizure of any animals found on a puppy mill/farm premises to be rehomed (if able to)

Seizure of equipment cages etc. so that they cant just be used again for more dogs

Set Codes of Welfare Set Codes/Standards that must be adhered to

by all breeders

An organisation that all breeders must be registered to similar to NZKC that can enforce regulations

Inspections without prior warning by the organisation

Set regulations on minimum cage sizes and number of dogs per premises

Educating the public; giving them the information they need to make informed decisions when purchasing puppies/dogs

Educate breeders; inspectors or organisations work with them to help them to achieve set standards

Awareness/Education

What do you think??