"Elimination of malicious businesses" to set up the first numerical regulation in the pet business October 3, 19:17
In an attempt to eliminate businesses that raise animals in harsh environments, the Ministry of the Environment is planning to set numerical standards for the first time regarding the size of "cage" for dogs and cats and the number of animals that can be kept.
While some animal welfare organizations have welcomed us, some businesses have said that they will not be able to operate.
The Ministry of the Environment is planning to set numerical standards for the first time regarding the size of cages and the number of animals that can be kept, in order to eliminate malicious pet shops and breeders that keep animals in narrow cages and keep them without sufficient care. ..
The draft states that dogs and cats need to be twice the length and 1.5 times the length of the cage if there is a separate exercise space.
In addition, the number that can be bred is per employee, and in the case of breeders, up to 15 dogs and 25 cats, in the case of pet shops, up to 20 dogs, 30 cats, etc. ..
If the standard is violated and it is not improved, fines may be imposed, and animal protection groups and others are welcoming.
On the other hand, according to a survey by pet industry groups, there are many businesses that think that if the number of pets is reduced or the number of employees is increased in order to comply with the standards, management will not be possible. I want the national and local governments to show countermeasures so as not to lose. "
The Ministry of the Environment wants to formally decide on a draft numerical standard at a meeting of experts on the 7th of this month, and plans to start regulation from June next year after hearing the opinions of the general public.
Draft standard presented by the Ministry of the Environment
What is the proper breeding environment and breeding method for dogs and cats?
Let's take a look at the draft standard presented by the Ministry of the Environment.
[Cage size]
Regarding the size of the cage, if there is a separate exercise space, both dogs and cats need to be twice the length and 1.5 times the length.
On top of that, the standard for height is twice the body for dogs and three times the body for cats.
As for cages, in addition to the numerical standards, in principle, the use of wire mesh as flooring is prohibited.
[
Number of animals that can be bred
]
This is the number of animals that can be bred.
Each employee has up to 15 dogs and 25 cats for breeders, 20 dogs and 30 cats for pet stores, and so on.
And the salesperson who is only in charge of customer service is not included in the "employee" in this case.
[Number of breeding]
We also set standards for breeding so that female dogs and cats are not overloaded by breeding unnecessarily.
As a general rule, female dogs and cats are allowed to mate up to 6 years old, and exceptionally up to 7 years old depending on the number of births.
For dogs, the number of births in a lifetime is limited to six.
[Mandatory health checkup / prohibition of cruelty] In
addition to requiring a veterinarian to
perform
a health checkup once a year, it also prohibits acts that appear to be animal cruelty, such as leaving the claws stretched.
[In case of violation] The
local government can issue an improvement order or business suspension order to a business operator who violates these standards, and if it still does not comply, a fine of up to 1 million yen may be imposed. ..
Strong request from animal protection groups
There was a strong request from animal protection groups and others behind the fact that the Ministry of the Environment decided to set numerical standards for the first time regarding appropriate breeding environments and methods.
It is said that pet shop employees and others frequently report whistle-blowing that animals are kept in a poor environment to the "Animal Environment and Welfare Association Eva", an animal protection organization in Tokyo. I will.
In a photo taken by a former employee of a pet shop in Saitama Prefecture, you can see that dogs and cats are trapped and raised in carry cases and small cages for keeping guinea pigs and hamsters.
According to a former employee, about two staff members a day kept 40 to 50 dogs and cats in the backyard while serving customers, and they were not well cared for. ..
Also, in the photo of the breeder's breeding base in Tochigi prefecture, there are piles of cages containing dogs.
According to the group, the breeder raised about 200 dogs by himself, and the hut where the cage was located could not prevent the rain and wind, and another animal protection group that took this picture confirmed the scene. Occasionally, some dogs were debilitated and dead.
Kumiko Matsui, Executive Secretary of the Animal Environment and Welfare Association Eva, said, "I have asked the local government to provide such information for guidance, but there is no specific standard as to what is" proper breeding. " Therefore, it did not lead to improvement. It is of great significance to establish a numerical standard. "
Industry group "Present countermeasures"
What kind of impact will it have if the regulations shown in the draft by the Ministry of the Environment are applied?
In July, the "Dog and Cat Proper Breeding Promotion Council" created by industry groups such as the National Pet Association conducted a questionnaire survey of breeders of dogs and cats nationwide, and received responses from more than 1,100 businesses. It was.
According to the draft, about 65% of dog breeders and about 32% of cat breeders answered that the number of breeders "exceeds the standard" in the draft standard for the number of breeds per employee.
When asked about countermeasures for these breeders in multiple answers,
75% of
dog breeders
answered
"Reduce the number
of breeders
", about 50%
answered
"Consider going out of business"
, and
"Reduce the number
of breeders
" of
cat breeders.
Was about 61%, and
"considering business closure" was about 60%,
indicating that there are many businesses that think
that
management cannot be established.
The council and others estimate that if the regulations are applied, it will be necessary to secure more than 130,000 dogs and cats in total, and in the statement received from the questionnaire results, "each group However, we are continuing to consider transfer destinations and temporary storage destinations, but it is extremely difficult to secure them. The Ministry of the Environment and local governments have taken measures in advance to prevent dogs and cats from losing their place. I want you to present a preparation plan. "
Anxious breeder
Some breeders are worried about the new regulations.
A woman in her 70s in the Chubu region has been a dog breeder with her husband for over 20 years and now raises 40 small dogs such as Chihuahuas and Pomeranians.
They are kept in their own air-conditioned huts, one by one in metal cages, and the cages are washed daily and kept clean.
In addition, it is said that he is careful about physical condition management, such as letting him exercise outdoors for two hours a day.
However, if the numerical standards set by the Ministry of the Environment are applied, nearly half of the cages will have to be replaced with larger ones, and one new employee will have to be hired. I think both are difficult.
Therefore, I am considering reducing the number of dogs I keep, but I am worried if I can find a taker.
The woman said, "I don't think we can find a taker right away because I think many breeders across the country will have to let go of a large number of dogs once the regulations start. I can't do it. ”If you don't pick up your dog, you can't even go out of business and you don't know what to do.”
Expert "Construction of consultation system"
Professor Ayako Uchikoshi of the Faculty of Law, Seijo University, who is familiar with animal policy, said, "The reality is that there are still many poor companies in the pet industry, even if they make voluntary efforts, and it is appropriate to set numerical standards." I will.
On top of that, "We need to find a dog or cat taker who loses his place in society as a whole, and we need to build a consultation system for breeders. We recognize that animal problems are human problems related to animals, and society It should be discussed as a whole. "
The Ministry of the Environment has decided to set up a new place to consider measures such as securing transferees so that many dogs and cats will not lose their place.