Ninety-three dog breeding inspections were carried out by council officers last year – and 23 did not have licences.

Dog breeders in Ceredigion must comply with 19 conditions and are inspected every year without warning.

It includes the number of bitches allowed, the size of their living conditions as well as access to enrichment and socialisation areas and staffing ratios.

Members of the Ceredigion County Council’s audit committee were told that there are 30 licensed breeders in the county with licences valid for one year.

Reporting officer Carwen Evans, said that officers can amend individual licences in order to impose additional conditions including reducing the number of dogs permitted, shortening the licence period and changing the size of an area for breeding.

“When the service is in receipt of complaints regarding animal welfare issues at both licensed and unlicensed breeding establishments, these are investigated thoroughly by carrying out inspection of the premises and resident dogs and puppies,” a report to committee states.

Chairman Cllr Rowland Rees-Evans highlighted the reliance on information from the public.

Mrs Evans added that complaints will often come in from licensed breeders about those not following regulations.

“It’s those you don’t know about that are the problem,” he said.

The committee agreed a recommendation to write to the Welsh Government to highlight the need for additional funding to address the issues arising from dog breeding in counties with the greatest regulatory workload, such as Ceredigion.

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