The UK’s largest dog breeding facility, commonly referred to as 'a puppy farm', is located within the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area, it has been revealed.

Furthermore, the three largest ‘licensed dog breeders’ in the UK operate in this Council area, according to new data from the charity Nature Watch Foundation.

Natalie Harney, Campaign Manager for the charity, said: “Residents of Fermanagh and Omagh may be shocked to learn that the district is home to the three largest licensed dog breeding establishments in the whole of the UK.

“Three licensed breeders have over 200 breeding bitches each, with one breeder licensed to keep an astonishing 350 mums.

“It’s difficult to even imagine dog breeding on that kind of scale.”

Data from the charity shows that there are 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 £26 million, while Northern Ireland’s councils — including Fermanagh and Omagh District Council — have secured less than £11,000 in invoicing.

Ms. Harney commented: “We’ve released the Dog Breeding Map of the United Kingdom to help people find out about licensed dog breeding in their area because many 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 and as a key transport route.”

Urging a joint approach, she said: “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 is calling for the Central Breeding Licence Register to be made public “to protect our communities from purchasing illegal puppies and to create a more joined-up approach with other agencies, such as the PSNI, HMRC, DAERA, the Department of Communities, and the 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 still be informed that councils are 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 needs to step up and understand where funds can be raised within the service, especially in light of these 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 information on Gumtree, Facebook, and other online platforms, [thanks to the] sale prices of pups, licensed breeders are making approximately £26 million per year, which does not include backyard breeders, 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.”

A spokesperson for Fermanagh and Omagh District Council confirmed the nine licensed establishments in the area and said: “The Council is aware of the letter from Causeway Coast Dog Rescue and will respond at the earliest convenience.

Any establishment that meets the criteria to be classified as a regulated dog breeding establishment under The Welfare of Animals (Dog Breeding Establishments and Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2013 is required to apply for a licence from the relevant local council and undergo inspection.

The Council does not, and is not required to, hold any records on the level of income generated by individual breeding establishments.

“DAERA actively partners with HMRC and local councils under the Paws for Thought initiative, which aims to deter the trafficking of low-welfare pups through Northern Ireland.

“Where DAERA enforcement staff encounter persons suspected of illegally transporting pups or dogs for sale, reports are made to HMRC for investigation, as part of the agreed multi-agency approach."