A series by journalist Masahiko Ota, who is passionate about animal welfare focused on: The problem of “unscrupulous pet dealers” who produce large numbers of puppies and kittens for the sake of making money, being allowed to operate unchecked in various parts of Japan.
- PRESIDENT Online
-----Even regulations on pet breeders and pet shops have been stricter, in many cases the law is not being properly enforced at the local government level. In many cases, local governments have simply repeated their guidance to the breeders, but this has not led to improvements in the breeding environment. It has been pointed out that local governments have limited authority, making it difficult to conduct unannounced inspections, and that breeders hide the “inconvenient” parts of their operations-----
The article highlights the problem by giving the example of a breeder (Animal Momotaro) who was arrested on suspicion of mistreating over 400 dogs.
・The local government only repeated its guidance and did not even issue a “Recommendation”
・The authority of local governments has increased, but the situation has not changed
・Deception by breeders
・The effectiveness of the “red card standard” is still lacking
・The very idea of treating "life" as an object is inherently flawed.
・“Mass sales” support “mass production”
・Transactions at “auction markets” make it difficult to grasp the actual situation of the breeders
Among the various problems pointed out, mass sales and mass breeding, lack of response and awareness by local governments, and pet auction markets are major problems and continue to produce unhappy dogs and cats.
The problem of pet auctions and mass breeding
Because pet auctions and mass sales encourage the breeding of unscrupulous traders, it is necessary to revise the law that defines dogs and cats as objects.
Lack of response and awareness on the part of local governments
In many cases, even after the “Standards for the Care and Management of Animals” came into force, they were not being properly implemented by local governments and the pet business industry.
For example, the local government has admitted that it did not properly monitor Animal Momotaro and did not even check the conditions of the breeding facility. The responsibility of the local government for not adequately addressing the issue of unscrupulous breeders is heavy.
Pet Auction Markets
In the pet industry, the presence of malicious breeders persists, making it difficult for pet store buyers to ascertain the actual status of breeders, even if the dogs and cats are raised in poor conditions.
To eliminate unscrupulous breeders and protect the lives of dogs and cats, it is necessary to revise the law and establish a framework. Breeders, a profession that involves precious lives, should be licensed, not registered.
Dogs and cats are a precious companion that is close to the hearts of humans. World Dog Alliance believes that by establishing specialized ministries and legislators, they can focus on revising laws, and promote respect for the lives of dogs and cats who do not speak.
In addition, the establishment of a government-led animal police and the development of large-scale protection facilities will be possible and effective protection will be realized.
Full article by Journalist Masahiko Ota on PRESIDENT Online：https://president.jp/articles/-/86294
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