Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Environmental Health and Licensing Manager.

Licensing Committee considered the report at its meeting on 31 October 2017 and its comments will be reported.

The Environmental Health and Licensing Manager presented the report that detailed the responses to the 12 week consultation of the proposed animal licensing policy. The policy had previously been presented to the Licensing Committee at the meeting held on 18 July 2017 and would require adoption by Council in December 2017.

There was a need to maintain and improve the standard of animal welfare, an animal licensing policy having been proposed in Exeter following a Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) consultation. The policy consolidated the requirements for the various animal licences issued by Exeter City Council. Ii was noted there had been constructive feedback some of which had been incorporated into the policy.

Members welcomed this policy to ensure animal welfare in the city.

RECOMMENDED that Council adopt the Animal Licensing Policy.

To consider the report of the Environmental Health and Licensing Manager.

The Principal Licensing Officer presented the report that detailed the responses to the 12 week consultation of the proposed animal licensing policy. The policy had previously been presented to the Licensing Committee at the meeting held on 18 July 2017 and would require adoption by Council in December 2017.

There was a need to maintain and improve the standard of animal welfare, an animal licensing policy having been proposed in Exeter following a Defra consultation. The policy consolidated the requirements for the various animal licences issued by Exeter City Council and included the licencing conditions for pet vending and cat and dog breeding. He highlighted that there had been some constructive feedback from the RSPCA which had been added to the policy. A consultation response from the Dogs Trust had provided information on forthcoming national legislative amendments, which would likely require minor amendments made to the policy.

In response to questions from Members, the Environmental Health and Licensing Manager and the Principal Licensing Officer explained that:-

·         Following consultation with numerous animal welfare agencies, it had been agreed that three litters or more at dog breeding establishments would constitute the threshold for requiring a dog breeding licence. Other authorities set this threshold at five litters a year. Three litters were considered the lowest number within the scope of the legislation;

·         Dog boarding establishments were strongly recommended to have the appropriate insurance;

·         There was a difference between kennels and home boarding within the policy. Home boarding looked after animals at a person’s residence, rather than at a business premises;

·         If a dog was entrusted to a kennel or home boarding establishment, then the dog walker was responsible for the animal. The legislation for enforcement matters was separate, however the PSPO could be used as a control measure but evidence would be required for enforcement action;

·         Any breaches with the number of animals bred, would be addressed following receipt of a complaint. Trading Standards have authorisation to undertake specific investigations via social media, however Licensing and an authorised vet would perform a site visit and take any required action in relation to specific complaints;

·         Any investigation by the police into any dogs attacking other dogs, would on a case by case basis. It would be a multi-agency investigation and dependent on the demand on the police;

·         The policy had been put on hold for several years due to numerous government consultations and was now important to now push the policy forward and update the licenses to put the Council into a stronger position.

RECOMMENDED that the Animal Licensing Policy be approved and Executive and Council requested to adopt the Policy.