I went to my first fair in years the other day. Geared up for a day of fun, buy a few things from the stalls, I thought I was in for a wonderful day. Instead I spent the night following it in tears, and astonished by my own naivety.
Why? because I saw a lot of pet animals, mostly dogs being sold, and I didn’t have the knowledge of what to do about it. Various people I spoke with had told me things that varied from “its not illegal”, to “its okay because the fair is a private event, and they are selling the dogs at that”.
What first attracted my attention was the sound of a dog crying, given the noise and bustle of the fair being set up, he was still easy to hear. I followed the noise, and came across a little Jack Russell in a chicken crate, above a crate of chickens.
The little one wasn’t able to stand up fully, there was no bedding or water in the crate, but there was some covering over it to give shelter from the rain. After a few minutes the owner came along, he wanted 120 euro for the dog, I have to admit it, if I had the money I would have bought her. Approximately three hours later I came back and the dog was still there, after I spoke with a local animal welfare person, she persuaded the owner to take the dog from the crate, and she was tied to the trailer alongside. I also saw a lady walking through the town with a pup in her arms, with a sign attached “I’m for sale”. A little further down the street, some children stood in front of a crate, in-between two stalls, in the crate were some small puppy’s, the children were selling for 25 euros. I have to ask the question, what kind of an example are we setting to children when we let them do this, is the life of a pet animal really that expendable?
Later on in the day I came across a pair of rather charming pre -teen boys, proud to show me their cages of rabbits, and eager to bargain.
The most heartbreaking sight of the day for me though, was set away from the main hustle and bustle of the fair, up by the car-park, were he was guaranteed to catch people and their children, as they returned to their cars. A man sat on the path, a dog crate beside him, it had no covering on the roof, and the plastic floor usually in these crates had been removed. Inside it was a wire-haired terrier bitch, who looked like she had recently had pups , and six lurcher type puppy’s. The man was holding the lead of a black dog, who to my rather inexperienced eyes looked like a lurcher too. He told me what type of breed they were but I have forgotten.
My attention was on the mother dog, the sadness in her eyes as she looked up at me. Incidentally the man told me the pups were six weeks old, he did not mention vaccinations or worming to me.
And heres were my confusion really sets in, selling a pet animal in a public place is illegal. I’m not concentrating on the particular fair I attended at all, this is a common event at every fair and market in this country. But it is illegal!
If I decided to sell counterfeit cigarettes at a fair or market, I would be stopped immediately. Why then if I brought my dogs and tried to sell them, would it be so much more acceptable.
Ireland once the Land of the Horse, is fast becoming the Land of the Puppy Farm. Incidents of animal cruelty and abandonment abound in this country despite the repeated efforts of so many dedicated rescue groups. But why as a society do we turn a blind eye to the sale of these animals at our public events? Is it ignorance of the law? acceptance of the tradition? or do we just not care?
Can this law be enforced, and if so how? Should people who organise these events, ensure that they have the resources to enforce the law before they are given a license. Is it something as simple as a set of rules and regulations which are sent out to everyone requesting a stall permit, and instructing stewards on what to do if they come across someone selling a pet animal?
If such a market or fair is put on, and there are pet animals being sold there, should the committee have their license suspended? and would that give them an incentive to deal with the sellers. I don’t want to name the Fair, I don’t believe that would be right as this happens on any given day up and down the country. Nor do I want to upset any Rescue Group as I admire so much, those who protect our animals, and do such amazing work. But I do wonder what can be done to stop this going on.
Protection of Animals (Amendment) Act, 1965
PART V
Regulation of Sale of Pet Animals
Pets not to be sold in any public place.
23.—If any person carries on in a public place the business of selling animals as pets he shall be guilty of an offence under this Part.
24.—If any person sells an animal as a pet to a person apparently under the age of twelve years he shall be guilty of an offence under this Part
Provisions regarding pet shops.
25.—Any person who keeps animals for sale as pets and does not comply with the following conditions shall be guilty of an offence under this Part:—
(a) the animals shall be kept at all times in accommodation suitable as respects size, temperature, lighting, ventilation and cleanliness,
(b) the animals shall be supplied with a sufficient quantity of suitable food and drink,
Thank you very much to Gertrude Malone for sending in this piece which really highlights the attitude a lot of people have towards dogs and pets in general
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