East Ayrshire Council urged to tighten rules to tackle illegal puppy farming

East Ayrshire Council is being urged to tighten enforcement and strengthen regulation of dog breeding as part of a nationwide campaign to stamp out illegal puppy farming.

A report to be presented to the council’s Licensing Panel next week highlights ongoing concerns about unlicensed breeding activity in the region and recommends closer collaboration between animal welfare officers, trading standards, and police to tackle the issue.

The report follows discussions with animal welfare charity Four Paws, which has campaigned for stronger licensing standards and transparency in the puppy trade across Scotland.

It outlines the scale of the problem, noting that unlicensed or unscrupulous breeders continue to operate in rural areas and online, undermining legitimate, licensed breeders who comply with welfare legislation.

Council officers said the rise of internet sales and social media advertising has made it easier for unlicensed breeders to sell animals directly to the public without scrutiny.

Many buyers are unaware that legitimate breeders must hold a licence issued by their local authority under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Scotland) Regulations 2021.

The report notes that several high-profile investigations in Ayrshire and elsewhere in Scotland have uncovered poor welfare conditions and false documentation linked to illegal breeding operations.

These include cases where puppies were sold too young, without proper vaccination, or in unsafe conditions.

East Ayrshire currently has a small number of licensed breeders, all of whom are regularly inspected.

However, officers warn that the scale of unlicensed activity is likely much higher, with some individuals operating “under the radar” and selling dogs privately for profit.

The report urges councillors to consider increasing public awareness about the licensing system and to lobby the Scottish Government for additional enforcement powers and resources.

It also encourages closer working with the Scottish SPCA and local veterinary practices to identify and report suspected unlicensed breeders.

The report states: “There is a suggestion by Four Paws in their report that additional ad-hoc inspections should be carried out to premises to ensure good welfare practices are being applied, particularly those premises who have been granted a licence for a period of two or three years.

“The current legislation and guidance sets out the framework for animal welfare licensing and a change to this would require a change in legislation or guidance.

“Currently in East Ayrshire, all dog breeding premises have a minimum of one inspection per licence period, with additional inspections being undertaken as and when required, or on receipt of information which would suggest that the standards of operation had deteriorated.”

The Four Paws campaign has also called for a single, publicly accessible national database of licensed breeders, similar to systems used in England and Wales.

Such a register, the report says, would make it easier for prospective pet owners to verify breeders before purchasing a puppy.