Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Serious Dog Injuries Register: Dog Groomers

Thursday 9 May 2024 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Questions discussed the implementation of a dog groomers charter mark with a register of serious injuries for dogs.
  • Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, groomers must protect dogs from harm and provide for their welfare needs, with penalties including imprisonment or an unlimited fine.
  • A case was presented where a dog was seriously injured by a groomer using incorrect equipment, leading to multiple veterinary visits and permanent injuries.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Duncan Baker
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The question arises from a constituent's distressing case of their pet dog being seriously injured during a routine grooming session due to incorrect equipment use. The incident highlights the lack of specific regulations within the dog grooming industry.

Question

If he will take steps to implement a dog groomers charter mark that includes a register of serious injuries for dogs. Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, groomers must protect dogs under their control from harm and provide for their welfare needs. Where that Act is breached, offenders face imprisonment or an unlimited fine.

Answer from Mark Spencer

Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, groomers must protect dogs under their control from harm and provide for their welfare needs. Where that Act is breached, offenders face imprisonment or an unlimited fine. As the legislation is already clear, we do not have any plans at the moment to implement a charter.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask of implementing a dog groomers charter mark including a register of serious injuries was not addressed.

How: Legislation Is Already Clear

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Q2 Duncan Baker
Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

A constituent recently brought a case to the MP's office where their pet dog was seriously injured due to incorrect equipment use by a groomer. This incident is not isolated, and it highlights gaps in the current regulatory framework for the dog grooming industry.

Question

A constituent recently brought quite a distressing case to my office. A routine trip to the dog groomer's turned into a disaster for her beloved pet. The dog was seriously injured due to the groomer using incorrect equipment, resulting in painful lacerations, multiple veterinary visits and permanent scarring. Unfortunately, that is not an isolated case. I am aware that, as the Minister says, the Animal Welfare Act provides some framework in relation to intentional harm, but I am amazed at the lack of regulation in the industry. Will the Minister make an assessment of what further legislative steps can be taken to regulate the dog grooming industry and ensure the safety of all dogs?

Answer from Mark Spencer

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising this case, and obviously I sympathise with his constituent whose pet suffered that poor practice. The Government's belief in the importance of animal welfare underpins the strong protections included in the Animal Welfare Act, and we will take steps to address widespread welfare issues where they arise.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask of making an assessment for further legislative steps was not directly addressed.

How: Sympathise With Constituent, Strong Protections In The Act

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