Causeway Coast Dog Rescue calls on NI authorities to "do better" on unethical breeding
A north coast dog rescue charity has urged Northern Ireland authorities to follow the Republic of Ireland’s “leadership in tackling unethical breeding”.
Causeway Coast Dog Rescue Manager Tara Cunningham was speaking after the introduction of the Dog Welfare (Amendment) Bill 2025 by Social Democrat TD Jennifer Whitmore.
The animal welfare charity said that while the Bill applies solely in the Republic, it provides a “clear example of the kind of decisive, evidence-based reform urgently needed in Northern Ireland”.
The Bill introduces welfare measures, including a cap of 30 breeding females per site, a breeding age range of 16 months to eight years, a limit of one litter per year and four per lifetime, a 10:1 staff-to-animal ratio, a ban on surgical artificial insemination and modernised fee structures to align with welfare demands.
Tara Cunningham added: “These actions demonstrate Ireland’s firm commitment to ending unethical breeding practices and protecting both puppies and breeding mothers from suffering."
“Ireland has recognised the scale of abuse and taken concrete action. Northern Ireland must not lag behind. We need to learn from this initiative and implement similar reforms to protect dogs here.
"These changes will help improve the welfare of puppies being purchased in Northern Ireland from Ireland, ensuring better standards and clearer expectations for breeders and buyers alike.
“CCDR has been developing Lucy’s Law NI, aimed at closing gaps in Northern Ireland’s licensing, enforcement, and welfare oversight systems.
"We appeal to our Minister for DAERA and our 462 councillors in Northern Ireland, to do better, take the lead and protect pups from unethical breeding.”