A LOCAL animal sanctuary has spoken out against a planning application for further kennels at a dog breeding facility near Clabby.

Bright Eyes Animal Sanctuary, Enniskillen, issued a statement on the ongoing proposal from The UK Dog Breeding Academy Ltd, which seeks approval for additional kennels and exercise runs.

If successful, it is thought that there could be more than 1,000 dogs housed at the facility on the Clabby Road near Fivemiletown.

More than 1,900 objections have been lodged to Fermanagh and Omagh District Council since the application was made in 2022.

Bright Eyes Animal Sanctuary has indicated its opposition to both the existing facility and proposed extension, which they described as a "puppy farm".

"We at Bright Eyes Animal Sanctuary do not approve of puppy farming in general," a spokesperson said.

"We believe that puppies and dogs need socialisation to benefit their behaviour and social development.

"We believe they need more than just food, water and heat to develop into well-rounded dogs."

The spokesperson said that the sanctuary has previously rescued breeding dogs that have had "limited human contact", which leads to "psychological issues" and difficulty adapting to a normal family environment.

The spokesperson continued: "We have been inundated with dogs which were purchased from puppy farms during Covid-19, and this has left us in Bright Eyes and other rescues full to capacity.

"Our rehoming application process very carefully matches our dogs to the most suitable owner.

“We take into consideration how long the dog will be left alone for, previous experience and veterinary references are all part of our rehoming criteria.

"We educate potential adoptees of the commitment a dog needs, which is not done when a puppy is homed from a puppy farm.

"At Bright Eyes, we believe every dog should be entitled to a loving home and be part of a family; to be loved and cared for unconditionally, and our aim is to encourage people to rescue and to 'Adopt Not Shop'."

The Impartial Reporter has also been contacted by 'One Little Westie', a UK-based anti-puppy farming group, who voiced their opposition to the planning application.

A statement said: "Campaign group 'One Little Westie' have investigated the sale of puppies from the Clabby Road puppy farm by Kelly's Kennels Ltd. in Warrington, and Douglas Hall Kennels Limited in Pendle.

"Not only does the current planning application for expansion of the puppy farm need scrutinising, questions need to be asked about how the site can be licensed for 900 breeding dogs, and hundreds of puppies, when a previous planning decision in 2016 limited the number of dogs and puppies to 600.

"An independent review is desperately needed of the planning and licensing at the site."

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council said the application "remains under consideration".

"Planning application LA10/2022/0707/F is classified as a local application and the legislation requires the Council to determine this type of application," a Council spokesperson said.

"The application remains under consideration at this time."