Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011

PART 3

Greyhound Breeding

Restriction on breeding.

11.— (1) A person who causes or permits a greyhound bitch to be mated, inseminated or otherwise used for breeding purposes unless the bitch has reached the age of 15 months commits an offence.

(2) A person who causes or permits a greyhound bitch to give birth to more than 6 litters during her lifetime or, if subsection (3) applies, 8 litters, commits an offence.

(3) A person may permit a greyhound bitch to give birth to no more than two additional litters to the 6 litters referred to in subsection (1) if, prior to a mating or insemination leading to such birth—

(a) a veterinary practitioner certifies that the pregnancy and birth do not present a risk to the health or welfare of the bitch, and

(b) the certificate is lodged with the Club.

(4) The keeper of the Irish Greyhound Stud Book shall not enter in the Irish Greyhound Stud Book the progeny of mating or the product of breeding which is the result of mating, insemination or breeding in contravention of this section.