SCOTS NATIONALIST MSP Christine Grahame is to launch proposals for her Member’s Bill on the transportation and sale of puppies in Scotland. Grahame has co-sponsors from all political parties at the Scottish Parliament and has been working closely with the Scottish SPCA on details.

She said: "This issue is something that I feel very strongly about and I am sure the public will support the proposal for a Bill to safeguard the health and welfare of puppies by restricting their sale until they reach a minimum age. The Bill will also require them to have specified documentation when transported for sale.

"I am particularly pleased that the proposals have come to fruition at a time when high profile cases are being brought to court.

"There was a case just last week of the police stopping a van and discovering 102 puppies, from St Bernards to Jack Russells, being transported ready for sale. The person responsible is due in court the same day that I will be launching my proposals."

The launch took place on Tuesday of this week. Ms Grahame, the Scottish SPCA, members of the anti-puppy farm group WAG and co-sponsors were in attendance along with Becky, the puppy who inspired the proposed Bill, who was born in June 2003 somewhere in Ireland. She was then transported for hours by car and ferry and sold to a stranger in a car park.
She was rescued by the Scottish SPCA and now lives happily in a family home.

Grahame added: "I have also now launched my Christmas Card competition, which is based around the proposed Bill. Primary 7 pupils throughout the Borders, Penicuik and East Lothian are being asked to design a Christmas Card with the theme of animals. The winning design will be my card this year and the winning designer will present a cheque for £250 to the Scottish SPCA."

The proposals put forward by Ms Grahame are as follows:

Transportation and Sale of Puppies (Scotland) Bill

A proposal for a Bill to safeguard the health and welfare of puppies by restricting their sale until they reach a minimum age and requiring them to have specified documentation when transported for sale.

1.The specific purpose of the documentation has not been expressed in the proposal to avoid restrictions during policy development. The specific purpose of the documentation is an area that can be covered in the consultation document.

2.For the same reason, identification/microchipping has not been specifically mentioned in the proposal. This could be considered as part of the required documentation and views sought on this in the consultation. To mention it at this stage may open up the Dog Identification Group arguments which would detract from the overall purpose of your proposal which is much wider than identification/microchipping issues.

3.The proposal focuses on health and welfare matters and doesn't define the minimum age as this is also something that should be included in the consultation document.