08/03/2010 - Non-commercial greyhound breeders must be exempt in new legislation - Hoctor
Greyhound breeders who produce dogs for racing or coursing should be excluded from new legislation regulating the way dog breeders conduct the care of their animals according to North Tipperary TD Máire Hoctor. Deputy Hoctor has called on the Minister for the Environment, John Gormley to take stock of the great care given to their animals by greyhound breeders and to include an exemption for them in the new Dog Breeding Establishments Bill.
"There have been growing concerns about this new dog breeders' legislation and I have met with some of the local greyhound breeders who have expressed their concerns relating to this Bill," said Deputy Hoctor. "While having met previously with the Minister and having pressed the Minister to take into account those who breed dogs on a non commercial basis, such as huntsmen and footharriers, I also believe that an exception should be made for those involved in greyhound breeding."
"We all know that greyhounds bred for racing or coursing are very well taken care of in the vast majority of cases. I would not like to see a situation arise whereby those people who take such good care of their animals were penalised for their love of greyhounds and for the time and effort they put into caring for these animals."
"Ireland and Tipperary is rightly proud of its greyhound industry and I hope that the Minister will take this into account as the legislation makes its way through the Oireachtas. I will certainly be pressing him in the coming days to make amendments to the existing Bill before it comes law so that these changes are taken into account," Deputy Hoctor concluded.
ENDS.
Copyright Máire Hoctor TD 2010. All rights reserved.
3a Ormond Court, Ormond Street, Nenagh, Co Tipperary
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