Stout was the victim of backyard breeding.
Having touched the hearts of animal-lovers all over Co Wexford and beyond, a pup whose life was cut short due to illness is now on the brink of redefining dog breeding laws in Ireland. Stout, who was the victim of backyard breeding, was born with a number of degenerative conditions and, despite the best efforts of the Wexford Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (WSPCA), lost his fight for life in August.
However, that fight saw him gain an army of admirers online and led to the creation of Stout’s Law, a proposal which seeks to penalise those found guilty of illegal breeding practises.
At the October meeting of Wexford County Council (WCC), Councillor Michael Sheehan submitted a motion asking that Stout’s Law be incorporated into the Dog Breeding Establishment Act.
“While strengthening the welfare and health of animals; making dog breeders and sellers more accountable, transparent and animal welfare centred in their dealings; this Council calls for the reformation of the Dog Breeding Establishment Act (2010) to incorporate ‘Stout’s Law’ into the act,” the motion read.
“Stout’s Law brings forward changes in the ages, duration and treatment/conditions of breeding age dogs, limits the amounts of litters in a lifetime, the establishment of an single Independent Regulator with a stricter inspection regime and supports for the local authorities to work with licenced breeders while outlawing the practice of backyard puppy farms in Ireland. Upon passage, this motion is circulated to all local authorities nationwide.”
Cllr Sheehan’s motion was unanimously passed by his fellow councillors.
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.