Blaby District Council

Summary

The 1973 Breeding of Dogs Act prohibits persons from keeping more than two bitches for the purpose of breeding for sale of any premises (including a private dwelling) without a licence.

The 1991 Breeding of Dogs Act extends the powers of inspection to unlicensed premises, excluding a private dwelling.

How do I apply for a dog breeding establishment licence?

1. Check that you and your establishment comply with:
   1. the model conditions, which can be found under the Downloads section below.
   2. the details listed in Further information section
2. If you have any doubts or wish to discuss licence conditions, please contact us;
3. Request an application form or print your own from the link below;
4. Once completed, sign and return to us along with your payment of £80.00;
5. Before granting any licence for the first time, the local authority is required to consider an inspection report of the premises produced by a veterinary surgeon. The cost of this inspection will be recharged to the applicant (variable price);
6. Payments can be made in person by cash to our cashiers, or by cheques made payable to Blaby District Council.

Downloads

• Dog breeding establishment model conditions (PDF, 662KB)

Printable forms

• Application form for a dog breeding establishment licence (PDF, 53KB)

Further information

Disqualification’s and Cancellations

A licence may be issued if the applicant is not disqualified under any of the following Acts.

• The Breeding of Dogs Act 1973
• The Pet Animals Act 1951
• The Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act 1954
• The Protection of Animals (Cruelty to Dogs) (Scotland) Act 1934
• Animal Welfare Act 2006

The Local Authority will arrange for the premises to be inspected by a veterinary surgeon. If an acceptable report is received then the licence will be issued subject to payment of the licence fee. Currently the 2005/2006 fee is £56.00.

Where a licence is granted, that licence and any subsequent licence will expire on the 31st December of the year to which the licence relates and must be renewed before that date if the premises are to continue as a dog breeding establishment.

Your Right of Appeal

Any person aggrieved by a refusal to be granted a licence or by any condition to which a licence is subject may appeal to the Magistrates Court and the Courts may give such directions regarding the licence or its conditions as it thinks proper.

Offences and Penalties

The following offences apply to the breeding of dogs.

1. Anybody found guilty of keeping a dog breeding establishment without a licence may be subject to a fine not exceeding £2,500.
2. Anybody found guilty of failing to comply with the conditions of their licence may be subject to a fine not exceeding £2,500.
3. Anybody found guilty of obstructing or delaying an Inspector or authorised Veterinary Surgeon or Veterinary Practitioner in the exercising of their powers may be fined up to a maximum of £1,000.

If found guilty under this Act, the defendants licence may be cancelled and they may be disqualified from keeping a dog breeding establishment for such length of time as the Court thinks fit.

External websites

• The Breeding of Dogs Act 1973 (external link)

Contact us

Officer / Team	Dog Warden Service
Postal address	Blaby District Council Council Offices Desford Road Narborough Leicester LE19 2EP
E-mail address	environmental.health@blaby.gov.uk
Telephone	0116 272 7555
Fax	0116 272 7594

If you need this information in other languages or formats (large print, Braille or audio), please let us know when you contact us.

This page was last updated on 1st April 2010