Unregistered Laois puppy farm served with closure notice

The Laois Dog Warden has issued a notice ordering the closure of a dog breeding operation in the Rosenallis where 100 dogs were found in recent days.

Tristan Blundell, who is the authorised person of Laois County Council under the Dog Breeding Establishments Act, 2010, has excerised the powers to direct that the premises be closed with immediate effect

The written order was issued on October 25 to the owner/operator Sean Drumm, Mucklone, Rosenallis in parallel with a visit to his premises on the same day.

"I am satisfied that the operation of the unregistered dog breeding establishment poses a serious and immediate threat to public health or animal welfare, details of which are specified below. You are required to cease breeding or keeping dogs at the establishment and take such measures as directed to enable the rehousing, at your expense, of all dogs being kept for the time being at the establishment. If you contravene this closure notice you shall be guilty of an offence," said the notice signed by the Dog Warden.

It is understood that Mr Drumm had been a registered breeder but at a different location in Laois. The enforcement action was taken because it is claimed he was not registered to operate from Mucklone and that no planning permission was in place.

On arrival at the location on Saturday, October 25, about 100 dogs were found to be present. These included some six breeding females. The dogs were not found to be in poor health or in bad living conditions but some pups and a small number of adult dogs were removed for their welfare. The Dog Warden was accompanied by a vet and other agencies during the operation.

The written notice outlined the grounds that the operation poses a serious and immediate threat to public health or animal welfare.

The notice says the premises in which the dogs are kept and the management of same are not compliant with Section 15 of the Act and associated guidelines applicable to a registered dog breeding establishment.

It added that the operation of a dog breeding establishment without registration or application for the same also merited an order. The order says the premises and operator were not registered by Laois County Council.

It also adds that the operator was unable and unwilling to adhere to the duties applicable to a registered dog breeding establishment.

The order outlines measures to enable the rehousing of all dogs being kept for the time being at the establishment.

Mr Drumm must microchip, licence and rehome or sell females to ensure less than six breeding females over age of six months are on the premises. Proof of microchipping and licencing and details of sale/rehoming must be submitted to the Dog Warden within three weeks

Mr Drumm was advised that he could appeal the notice to the District Court in accordance with the Act

There are just five dog breeding establishments in Laois. The Council says anybody who has more than six female dogs over six months of age and capable of breeding must register with Laois County Council under the Dog Breeding Establishment Act 2010.

For example, this includes dog breeders, commercial boarding kennels, hunt clubs. Under the Act, the Council must publish a register of approved Dog Breeding Establishments.