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Dog laws given new bite
 The new powers will restrict how dogs are bred and sold |
New powers are to be given to the Scottish Parliament to tighten up the law regarding the breeding of dogs.
They are the result of a private member's bill passed by the Commons and will mean stricter regulation of dog breeding businesses in Scotland.
Tory MP James Clappison's bill on the breeding and sale of dogs was given Royal Assent the day before devolution in July.
Commons pressure
The area of dog legislation is devolved, meaning the powers of the bill had to be handed over to the Scottish Parliament under the terms of the Scotland Act.
 Dog homes are overflowing |
Officials expect the transfer of powers to be nodded through after a Commons debate led by the deputy Scottish Secretary Brian Wilson.
The legislation will tighten up how dogs are commercially bred and sold, including stricter inspection and licensing of breeding kennels.
It introduces a new requirement for records to be kept and includes a ban on selling puppies that are under eight weeks.
Homes overcrowded
The introduction of the legislation comes at a time when Scotland's dog homes are close to overflowing.
Animal rescue centre workers fear that as Christmas approaches, the crisis will become so great, many dogs will have to be destroyed.
The hope is that the new powers and tighter controls will help ease the problem.
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 | 25 Nov 99 | Scotland |
| Pet rescue centres reach crisis point |
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