Unlicensed dog breeding crackdown must be enforced as crooks putting profits before pups

Record View says that it's right that the Scottish Government brings in new laws - but any regulations have to be fully enforced.

Puppies tend to be an emotive subject. Like babies, they bring out the softest side in most of us. That’s why so many will feel angry at the greedy antics of puppy farmers and those who only see cash in the breeding of dogs.

Gary Hemming, who features in today’s Record, is one of a growing band of people who don’t give a damn about dog welfare. Hemming claims he is a DNA expert – but he’s plainly no expert when it comes to veterinary care.

It is right that the Scottish Government brings in new laws and tough licensing to stop Hemming and his ilk making a living from the suffering of animals. But the realm of licensing in Scotland is currently in disarray, with many existing regulations being ignored because there is very little enforcement.

Cash-strapped councils have dropped the ball in many fields – with unlicensed operators already rife in many services. There is frankly no point in creating a licensing regime if funding is not forthcoming to carry out inspections and deliver prosecutions.

A framework for regulation should be produced as quickly as possible, with a full enforcement capability. The alternative is a generation of sickly dogs and heartbroken families, who are the ones left with the bereavement and vet bills when the evils of the cruel DNA experiments come to fruition.

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Workers benefit

Reforms to protect workers in today’s employment market are badly needed. So it’s welcome to see Labour honour a manifesto commitment and bring forward the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation.

These new laws will ban exploitative zero-hour contracts, make work more secure and establish day one employment rights. The UK Government will close loopholes to end unscrupulous hire and fire and give workers greater protections against unfair dismissal.

Young workers will also benefit with the discriminatory age brackets for the minimum wage being scrapped. Many of these reforms should have been introduced years ago. Instead, they were blocked by the previous Tory government which was content to see workers’ rights crumble if private profits rose.

Labour remains a firmly pro-business party. A growing economy means more jobs and greater prosperity. It’s only fair the workers driving this national renewal are properly compensated and protected for their efforts.

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