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Response 1134525

Response to request for information

Reference

1134525

Response date

21 June 2023

Request

We would like to request the following information:

Application Process:

  • - What is the current process for a constituent applying for a breeding licence? For example, is it possible to apply online, by phone, or by completing an application form? Please provide any relevant links or details.
  • - What is the price charged for a new breeding licence?
  • - What is the price charged for the renewal of a breeding licence?

License Statistics:

  • - How many applications for a new licence have been received in the last 5 years? (broken down by year)
  • - How many applications for a licence renewal have been received in the last 5 years? (broken down by year)
  • - How many new licences have been granted as a result of an application made in the last 5 years? (broken down by year)
  • - How many licences have been renewed as a result of an application made in the last 5 years? (broken down by year)
  • - If appropriate, please provide the grounds on which any licence (new or renewal) was refused.

- Of the list of approved licenced breeders, please confirm the number of staff and qualifications of staff employed by each private licence holder. We are not requesting any personal details of individual staff, just the number employed by each licence holder and their qualifications.

Staff and Licensing Regulations:

  • - How many staff members within the authority are responsible for enforcing licencing regulations and what are their roles and responsibilities relating specifically to dog breeding licenses? We are not requesting any personal details of individual staff, just the job title and the roles and responsibilities of that position (usually outlined in a role of job description)
  • - What is the process/protocol that the authority takes for issuing a licence? For example, is there an inspection and report, and if so, please share the policy or protocol documents produced by your authority, or alternatively outline this process in your response.
  • - If you conduct an inspection, what information do you collect for a report? For example, name, gender, microchip numbers, etc. Please list any information categories collected.
  • - What is the process/protocol for responding to a report of a breach of licensing regulation? And what is the process of dealing with a suspected breach? For example, is there an inspection, report, warning, or termination of the licence notification, court proceedings?
  • - Do you keep a database of reports on suspected licensing breaches? If yes, please share the number of reports you have received for suspected licensing breaches.
  • - What conditions or scenarios warrant a termination of a license?
  • - If a breeder buys or sells a breeding dog during the period of an issued licence, do you require them to notify you of the change at the time of the sale/purchase of the dog, or are records only updated at the time of the renewal application?
  • - What steps, if any, do you take to ensure that each breeder complies with The Microchipping of Dogs (England) 2015 regulations?

Inspection Records:

  • - How many staff were employed to conduct inspections during in the last 5 years? (broken down by year)
  • - How many inspections were conducted during in the last 5 years? (broken down by year)
  • - How many litters were produced (and how many puppies in each litter) by each licence holder in the last 5 years? (broken down by year)
  • - If you keep records of Kennel Club Assured Breeder Scheme members, please confirm which licence holders are also members of this scheme.

Complaints:

  • - Has any licence been revoked or suspended in the last 5 years? (broken down by year) If so, please provide details of the licence holder and the reason for revocation or suspension.
  • - How many complaints have you received in the last 5 years? (broken down by year), and which licence holder(s) have been complained about?
  • - Where a complaint has resulted in enforcement action, please confirm what enforcement action was taken and the name of the licence holder (or refer to answer above if details already provided in relation to revocation or suspension of licence).

Response

We would like to request the following information:

Application Process:

License Statistics:

  • - How many applications for a new licence have been received in the last 5 years? (broken down by year)
  • - How many applications for a licence renewal have been received in the last 5 years? (broken down by year)
  • - How many new licences have been granted as a result of an application made in the last 5 years? (broken down by year)
  • - How many licences have been renewed as a result of an application made in the last 5 years? (broken down by year)
  • - If appropriate, please provide the grounds on which any licence (new or renewal) was refused.

- Of the list of approved licenced breeders, please confirm the number of staff and qualifications of staff employed by each private licence holder. We are not requesting any personal details of individual staff, just the number employed by each licence holder and their qualifications.

Staff and Licensing Regulations:

  • - How many staff members within the authority are responsible for enforcing licencing regulations and what are their roles and responsibilities relating specifically to dog breeding licenses? We are not requesting any personal details of individual staff, just the job title and the roles and responsibilities of that position (usually outlined in a role of job description)

    • 2 Pest and Dog Control Officer, 1x licensing officer support

  • - What is the process/protocol that the authority takes for issuing a licence? For example, is there an inspection and report, and if so, please share the policy or protocol documents produced by your authority, or alternatively outline this process in your response.

    • An application is received, validated and the applicant contacted to arrange an inspection with the vet if required. the inspector determines if the licence can be issued and the star rating in a report. The licence is issued. There is no separate policy document.

  • - If you conduct an inspection, what information do you collect for a report? For example, name, gender, microchip numbers, etc. Please list any information categories collected.

    • see pro-forma template

  • - What is the process/protocol for responding to a report of a breach of licensing regulation? And what is the process of dealing with a suspected breach? For example, is there an inspection, report, warning, or termination of the licence notification, court proceedings?

    • All complaints are judged on their own merits. A visit is likely, and notes made in the electronic case note. Enforcement would be considered on a case by case basis.

  • - Do you keep a database of reports on suspected licensing breaches? If yes, please share the number of reports you have received for suspected licensing breaches.
    • 12
  • - What conditions or scenarios warrant a termination of a license?
    • Not a FOI question – this is seeking an opinion but judgement on case-by-case basis following relevant guidance and legislation.
  • - If a breeder buys or sells a breeding dog during the period of an issued licence, do you require them to notify you of the change at the time of the sale/purchase of the dog, or are records only updated at the time of the renewal application?
  • - What steps, if any, do you take to ensure that each breeder complies with The Microchipping of Dogs (England) 2015 regulations?

    • Not a FOI question – this is seeking an opinion but judgement on case-by-case basis following relevant guidance and legislation.

Inspection Records:

  • - How many staff were employed to conduct inspections during in the last 5 years? (broken down by year)
    • 2 Pest and Dog Control Officer for all years
  • - How many inspections were conducted during in the last 5 years? (broken down by year)

    • 2018 – 11

       

    • 2019 – 6

       

    • 2020 – 5

       

    • 2021 – 7

       

    • 2022 – 1

  • - How many litters were produced (and how many puppies in each litter) by each licence holder in the last 5 years? (broken down by year)
    • not recorded
  • - If you keep records of Kennel Club Assured Breeder Scheme members, please confirm which licence holders are also members of this scheme.
    • personal data, not able to release

Complaints:

  • - Has any licence been revoked or suspended in the last 5 years? (broken down by year) If so, please provide details of the licence holder and the reason for revocation or suspension.
    • nil
  • - How many complaints have you received in the last 5 years? (broken down by year), and which licence holder(s) have been complained about?

    • not able to release information on individual licence holders GDPR

  • - Where a complaint has resulted in enforcement action, please confirm what enforcement action was taken and the name of the licence holder (or refer to answer above if details already provided in relation to revocation or suspension of licence).
    • nil

FOI Responses Licensing 2023