Dog Breeding Bill

COUNCILLOR Kenneth O’Flynn has called on the Minister for the Environment, John Gormley to reconsider the changing aspects of his controversial dog-breeding bill to allow some leeway for the greyhound industry.

The Fianna Fáil councillor said, “In it’s present form the Bill set’s to wipe clean the Greyhound industry as we know it. I have spoken to many owners and trainers who say that at in its present incarnation the bill will destroy greyhound racing in this country.

“The greyhound industry employs 11,000 people and it is worth €250 million to the economy each year. I think to cripple a profitable industry that is a pleasure to many and a livelihood to thousands is nothing short of inept and stupid.

“As a dog lover and owner of a champion Saint Bernard, I oppose these puppy farms and the way animals are housed in appalling conditions bred purely for commercial gain and riddled with all kinds of diseases and illnesses. It is about time we called up these backstreet dog breeders and held them to account.

“In doing so we cannot afford to alienate the people who breed dogs for hunting and racing and who do so in the best of conditions and have the beast intentions of the dogs in mind and only wish to ensure they give the best performance.

“Minister Gormley has hijacked the good work of prior Ministers for the Environment that sought to regulate the unacceptable situation on commercial dog breeding establishments. The Minister has twisted the legislation to encompass hunt kennels which he himself described as having strict standards and thus would be exempt from the legislation.

“To many it seems Minister Gormley is seeking to use this legislation to close down well run hunt kennels to inflict his autocratic will to finish off field sports in Ireland.

“Many felt Minister Gormley is behaving a dictatorial fashion driven by his extreme animal rights belief, making him more suited to a theological republic such as Iran, as opposed to a democracy. Hopefully last nights meeting will make him see sense,” he said.