Overview
This Member’s Bill was introduced by Christine Grahame MSP. It proposes to improve the welfare of puppies and dogs by:
- strengthening the regulation of breeding and selling or giving away dogs in Scotland
- establishing a more responsible approach to acquiring a puppy or dog
The Bill requires the Scottish Government to make changes to the system for licensing dog breeding. The result will be that more breeders will need to have a licence.
The Bill also makes the Scottish Government set up a puppy litter register. Any litters that are not born under a dog breeding licence, but which the litter owner wishes to sell or give away, must be registered. Registration must be done before puppies can be advertised, sold or given away. The Bill sets out what a person must do to register a litter of puppies. It will be an offence not to comply with the registration system.
There will be some flexibility for Scottish Ministers to decide how to set up and operate the register.
The Bill also requires the Scottish Government to make and publish a code of practice. It sets out what the content of the code should be. The code should describe the process that is to be followed by:
- a person who wants to sell or give away a puppy or dog, and
- a person who wants to buy or take on a puppy or dog
You can find out more in the document prepared on behalf of Christine Grahame MSP that explains the Bill.
Why the Bill was created
Christine Grahame’s aim for the Bill is to improve the health and welfare of dogs. She believes that bringing more breeders into the licensing regime and introducing a registration process for unlicensed litters will help achieve this.
The member’s view is that buying a puppy or dog in a responsible way can also make a difference to the welfare of the animals, and to the nature of the puppy trade. This is the aim of the code of practice. The member believes the code will help to influence the behaviour of those getting a puppy or dog and improve responsible dog ownership.
You can find out more in the document prepared on behalf of Christine Grahame MSP that explains the Bill.
The Welfare of Dogs (Scotland) Bill is currently at Stage 1
Introduced
The Member in charge of the Bill, Christine Grahame MSP sends the Bill and related documents to the Parliament.
Related information on the Bill
Why the Bill is being proposed (Policy Memorandum)
Explanation of the Bill (Explanatory Notes)
How much the Bill is likely to cost (Financial Memorandum)
Opinions on whether the Parliament has the power to make the law (Statements on Legislative Competence)
Information on the powers the Bill gives the Scottish Government and others (Delegated Powers Memorandum)
Additional Member in Charge
Financial Resolution
Stage 1 - General principles
Committees examine the Bill. Then MSPs vote on whether it should continue to Stage 2.
Committees involved in this Bill
Who examined the Bill
Each Bill is examined by a 'lead committee'. This is the committee that has the subject of the Bill in its remit.
It looks at everything to do with the Bill.
Other committees may look at certain parts of the Bill if it covers subjects they deal with.
What is secondary legislation?
Secondary legislation is sometimes called 'subordinate' or 'delegated' legislation. It can be used to:
- bring a section or sections of a law that’s already been passed, into force
- give details of how a law will be applied
- make changes to the law without a new Act having to be passed
An Act is a Bill that’s been approved by Parliament and given Royal Assent (formally approved).
Delegated Powers and Law Reform committee
This committee looks at the powers of this Bill to allow the Scottish Government or others to create 'secondary legislation' or regulations.