Extreme breeding prosecutions

“It is not the regulation that is problematic. It is the cost of enforcement Health and welfare issues are common in many cases of breeding French bulldogs, but this case was extreme. It involved an unlicensed breeder who had a poor opinion of veterinary support and used the services of a canine fertility clinic for the stud dog. The sire died at two-and-a-half years old from seizures. The puppy in question also had seizures, significant deformities of an extremely flat face and an excessively undershot jaw. It was grade III for brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, had a markedly domed head (being likely responsible for its seizures) and a screw tail. Despite the strong case, this prosecution took two-and-a-half years to investigate and bring to trial. It involved significant cost and an unlikely recovery of funds by the local authority. It was contested by an expert veterinarian who also argued that licence regulations left the door open for breeders to avoid any veterinary involvement in assessing breeding dogs or health checks and vaccination before sale. With that type of advice being promoted to breeders, it is small wonder that problems exist regardless of whether the breeder is licensed. It is not the regulation that is problematic. It is the cost of enforcement and the determination of all involved in the defence team to stand firm in the face of obvious welfare issues.