FOI request (FOIR-530523953)

Dog breeding licence

Requested Mon 10 July 2023
Responded Mon 17 July 2023

We are writing to request information about the dog breeding licence protocols within your local authority.

Our queries aim to gather information on the licensing process, the number of licences issued or renewed, staff qualifications, inspection reports, and compliance with regulations.

We would like to request the following information:

1. Application Process:

a. What is the current process for a constituent applying for a breeding licence? For example, is it possible to apply online, by phone, or by completing an application form? Please provide any relevant links or details.

b. What is the price charged for a new breeding licence?

c. What is the price charged for the renewal of a breeding licence?

2. License Statistics:

a. How many applications for a new licence have been received in the last 5 years (broken down by year)?

b. How many applications for a licence renewal have been received in the last 5 years (broken down by year)?

c. How many new licences have been granted as a result of an application made in the last 5 years (broken down by year)?

d. How many licences have been renewed as a result of an application made in the last 5 years (broken down by year)?

e. If appropriate, please provide the grounds on which any licence (new or renewal) was refused.

f. Of the list of approved licensed breeders, please confirm the number of staff and qualifications of staff employed by each private licence holder. We are not requesting any personal details of individual staff, just the number employed by each licence holder and their qualifications.

3. Staff and Licensing Regulations:

a. How many staff members within the authority are responsible for enforcing licensing regulations and what are their roles and responsibilities relating specifically to dog breeding licences? We are not requesting any personal details of individual staff, just the job title and the roles and responsibilities of that position (usually outlined in a role of job description).

b. What is the process/protocol that the authority takes for issuing a licence? For example, is there an inspection and report, and if so, please share are policy or protocol documents produced by your authority, or alternatively outline this process in your response.

c. If you conduct an inspection, what information do you collect for a report? For example, name, gender, microchip numbers, and so on. Please list any information categories collected.

d. What is the process/protocol for responding to a report of a breach of licensing regulation? For example, is there an inspection, report, warning, or termination of the licence?

e. Do you keep a database of reports on suspected licensing breaches? If yes, please share the number of reports you have received for suspected licensing breaches.

f. What conditions or scenarios warrant a termination of a licence?

g. If a breeder buys or sells a breeding dog during the period of an issued licence, do you require them to notify you of the change at the time of the sale/purchase of the dog, or are records only updated at the time of the renewal application?

h. What steps, if any, do you take to ensure that each breeder complies with The Microchipping of Dogs (England) 2015 regulations?

4. Inspection Records:

a. How many staff were employed to conduct inspections during in the last 5 years (broken down by year)?

b. How many inspections were conducted during in the last 5 years (broken down by year)?

c. How many litters were produced (and how many puppies in each litter) by each licence holder in the last 5 years (broken down by year)?

d. If you keep records of Kennel Club Assured Breeder Scheme members, please confirm which licence holders are also members of this scheme.

5. Complaints:

a. Has any licence been revoked or suspended in the last 12 months? If so, please provide details of the licence holder and the reason for revocation or suspension.

b. How many complaints have you received in the last 12 months, and which licence holder(s) have been complained about?

c. Where a complaint has resulted in enforcement action, please confirm what enforcement action was taken and the name of the licence holder (or refer to answer above if details already provided in relation to revocation or suspension of licence).

Response

1a. All information and applications can be viewed on line at:

https://www.hastings.gov.uk/licensing/animal/breeding-dogs/

1b. £289 plus vet fees

1c. £289 plus vet fees

2a. 2 - 1x in 2022, and 1x in 2023

2b. 1 - 1x in 2023

2c. 2 - 1x in 2022, and 1x in 2023

2d. 1 - 1x in 2023

2e. Not applicable

2f. Information not held

3a. 2 - Lead Licensing Officer, and licensing Officer

3b. All processes led by DEFRA. Please refer to guidance at:

https://www.hastings.gov.uk/content/licensing/animal/472418/Dog_breeding_licensing__statutory_guidance_for_local_authorities_-_GOV.UK.pdf

3c. All processes led by DEFRA. Please refer to guidance at:

https://www.hastings.gov.uk/content/licensing/animal/472418/Dog_breeding_licensing__statutory_guidance_for_local_authorities_-_GOV.UK.pdf

3d. All processes follow The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018:

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/486/contents/made

3e. Information not held

3f. All processes follow The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018:

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2018/486/part/3/made

3g. Required to notify

3h. All processes led by DEFRA. Please refer to guidance at:

https://www.hastings.gov.uk/content/licensing/animal/472418/Dog_breeding_licensing__statutory_guidance_for_local_authorities_-_GOV.UK.pdf

4a. 2x since 2018

4b. None prior to 2022, 2022 - two inspections. 2023 - two inspections

4c. Information not held

4d. Information not held

5a. No

5b. None

5c. Not applicable