Do we need more dog licensing?

One suspects they will be wondering what the benefits to them might be, and how much they will be paying for the privilege of being licensed.

The Environment & Infrastructure Committee says the move stems from its presentation to the States last summer, when members backed a variety of proposals offering ‘better protection for animals’.

Key to that was regulating vets and veterinary practices, and enabling them to secure certain drugs and medicines. Deputies spent the debate making great play over foie gras and halal meat, while being advised that the moves were necessary as the island had signed up to trade agreements that stipulated adherence to animal welfare rules.

However extending licensing to dog groomers, pet sitters and riding stables and the rest might be something of a surprise. As it was to understand that E&I has had enthusiasm for such licensing for more than a decade, but didn’t have the resource to pursue it. Fortunately, the committee has now found the people it needs.

While it claims to want to be proportionate, one would have thought that the market for dog grooming and so on would sort the good from the bad, and the popular from the unreliable or mistrusted, as it does in other areas of personal services businesses, without the need for civil servant inspections and, one presumes, licence fees.