Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effect of the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 on the number of dogs left at home for long periods of time.

In the recently updated Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs developed with the canine sector, we advise that people do not leave their dog unattended in situations, or for periods of time that are likely to cause them distress or render them unsafe. The Code applies to all dogs.

The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 provide statutory minimum welfare standards for dog breeding, animal boarding and other licensed activities involving animals. The statutory conditions seek to modernise the welfare requirements on licensed premises, and have been developed with the full support of and engagement with the Canine and Feline Sector Group that represents vets, local authorities, the pet industry and welfare charities.