There are currently nine licensed dog breeders operating in the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area, new data has revealed.

Data from the charity Naturewatch Foundation shows there nine licensed breeding operators – some of which are commonly referred to as ‘puppy farms’ – in the District, with one licensed breeder holding a license for 350 dogs.

Also in the Council area, one license holder had ten or fewer dogs, two holders had between 11 and 25 dogs, two license holders had 26-50 dogs, one breeder had between 51 and 100 dogs, and three breeders had more than 200 dogs.

The charity, Causeway Coast Dog Rescue, claims that these licensed breeders make an estimated profit of £26million, while Northern Ireland’s councils – including Fermanagh and Omagh District Council – have secured less than £11,000 in invoicing.

Natalie Harney, from Naturewatch Foundation’s campaigns team, said: “We’ve released the Dog Breeding Map of the United Kingdom to help people find out about licensed dog breeding in their area, because a lot of councils don’t share that information.

“The map shows only 50 licensed breeders in the whole of Northern Ireland, which is shocking but sadly not surprising, given the poor enforcement of dog breeding laws.

“There’s a significant illegal and low-welfare puppy trade in the United Kingdom, and it’s no secret that Northern Ireland is a major player, both as a producer of farmed pups but also as a key transport route.

“The country can shed its puppy farming reputation, but everyone needs to do their bit.

“We’re urging councils to proactively crack down on illegal activity and to publish breeder registers.

“DAERA must also ensure proper funding for vital animal welfare services – cuts will only make things worse,” she added.

In addition, Causeway Coast Dog Rescue are calling for the Central Breeding Licence Register to be made public “to protect our communities from purchasing illegal puppies and create a more joined-up approach with other agencies, such as the PSNI, HMRC, DAERA, the Department of Communities and Department of Justice”.

The charity has written to the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and all local councils in Northern Ireland calling on them to resolve the monetary issue regarding funding for animal welfare services as soon as possible, and to join up the dog warden and animal welfare services to deliver better communication and funding opportunities.

Tara Cunningham, of Causeway Coast Dog Rescue, said: “We cannot get to Christmas and be informed that councils are still debating how the services will be funded and delivered.

“The previous funding was not enough to finance the needs of the service and so charities continue to pay the price by taking on the financial and legal burden that both local and central government should be providing.

“We have been calling on the Minister for DAERA to commission a Formal Review of the animal welfare service to ensure informed decisions are made for its future.

“Local government also need to step up and understand where funds can be raised within the service, especially in light of the figures.

“These figures are just the tip of a potential cash mountain available within the dog industry, notwithstanding money potentially lost to the public purse.”

She continued: “From the information on Gumtree, Facebook and online, [thanks to the] sale prices of pups, licenced breeders are coining in approximately £26million per year, which does not include the backyard breeders, the so-called ‘hobby breeders’, and those [dog breeders] living next to us in semi-detached houses.

“This is appalling, considering a licence can cost as little as £150 from a local council.”

Speaking to The Irish News, a spokesperson for Fermanagh and Omagh District Council confirmed that the Council is aware of the letter from Causeway Coast Dog Rescue, and confirmed that “there are nine licensed breeding establishments in the District”.

The Impartial Reporter has approached the Council for further clarity over the issue.