Q. My dog has had puppies - can I sell them?
Yes you can sell unwanted puppies from a litter providing you are not doing it as part of a business. You should ensure that the persons you sell them to are going to be responsible owners and are capable of looking after them. Make sure they see the mother and where possible the father so they will know what to expect when their pup grows up. Give potential buyers advice on vaccination and if you don't want to have another litter of pups think about neutering. You should never sell puppies to children or in the weeks leading up to Christmas. If you are selling puppies as part of a business you must be licensed with Oldham Council as a dog breeder.
It depends. If you wish to keep a pet which is included on the schedule of The Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1974 (as amended), then you will need to obtain a licence from the Local Authority. Obtaining a Dangerous Wild Animal Licence includes meeting a large amount of stringent conditions, covering both animal health and welfare and the health and safety of handlers and people visiting the premises. The Animal Welfare Officer and a specialist Veterinary Surgeon carry out yearly inspections and if the conditions are not met, the licence will not be granted. If you wish to keep certain reptiles or spiders for example, do a large amount of research before you decide to purchase one. Reptiles, in particular suffer a great deal of welfare problems due to incorrect diets, temperatures, lighting types and levels and a poor environment in general. A great deal of information is available in libraries and on the Internet. If you do wish to purchase this type of exotic animal, make sure the pet shop your purchase it from is licensed and obtain as much information from them as possible, including a free pet care leaflet which must be handed to you as part of the licence conditions.
Q. What can be done about noise from barking dogs?
Dogs are not by nature solitary animals. They need the security of a family group. Pet dogs regard their owners as a substitute family and can soon become distressed when left alone. The importance of training cannot be over emphasised. The Council holds stocks of a Government guidance leaflet “Constant barking can be avoided” produced in association with the National Dog Wardens Association and the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors. You can obtain a copy by contacting the Council’s Environmental Services Directorate on 0161 770 4502.
If it is your dog that is barking training even for an older dog, is the answer. However, do not leave your dog alone in a rear garden or rear yard unattended for long periods. The dog will be barking to tell you something. If you do keep a dog outside think carefully about where you place his or her kennel. If you have just acquired a new dog, training is the answer - spend time with your dog and assist his or her development. Only leave it alone initially for short periods and comfort/reward it on your return. The subsequent periods when it is left alone can then be increased in time. If you have to leave your dog for long periods - feed and exercise it before you go out and leave it some fresh water - make sure the bed or basket is comfortable and leave favourite toys - check the room is not too hot or too cold and that there is adequate ventilation - if you are not coming back until after dark, leave a light on. Do not leave a dog unattended in places like allotments or “pens” for long periods. Some dogs will bark because they want to join in what’s going on outside. If this is the problem, try leaving your dog so that it cannot see outside. If a dog regularly barks and training cannot modify its behaviour, take veterinary advice. In addition to getting advice or referral to an animal behaviourist, training collars can be purchased or hired from certain vet’s surgeries.
If you hear a dog barking regularly and it is a nuisance to you - try and establish which home it lives at and speak to the owner, expressing your concerns in a friendly neighbourly manner. If this does not produce the result you are seeking, you can complain to the Council on 0161-770- 4502 who will implement an objective standard procedure to begin to resolve any difficulties.