A series of official government documents obtained by The Impartial Reporter have revealed concerns over a Fivemiletown-based dog breeding establishment.

The documents which include correspondence between the Department of Agriculture Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and various stakeholders highlight multiple complaints and calls for investigation into Furnish Kennels covering the period from January 2023 to July 2024.

Furnish Kennels also known as the U.K Dog Breeding Academy is a licensed breeding establishment located on the Clabby Road, near Fivemiletown. Two other businesses are also registered at the same address: Kelly’s Kennels and Douglas Hall Kennels.

These documents follow an investigation by this newspaper which revealed how some breeders in England exploit "legal loopholes" by registering their operations in Fermanagh and selling pups in pet shops in England.

According to the documents, obtained through Freedom of Information, DAERA received several complaints relating to Furnish Kennels. These complaints included concerns over the licensing process, the adequacy of animal welfare standards and potential violations of the Welfare of Animals (Dog Breeding Establishments) Regulations 2013. The legislation mandates that councils are responsible for inspecting breeding premises and ensuring proper standards of accommodation welfare and care for the animals.

Other letters from DAERA obtained by this newspaper show that the USPCA (The Ulster Society Prevention Cruelty to Animals) also requested a meeting regarding the dog breeding establishment in Fivemiletown.

In response, DAERA Permanent Secretary Katrina Godfrey sent a letter which stated: “The licensing of dog breeding establishments and the enforcement of the applicable legislation is a matter for local councils, as the designated statutory body under animal welfare legislation.

“The Department has no locus to intervene on these matters and to do so would undermine the statutory authority of councils in this area. If you have significant concerns about any aspect of the council’s communication or decision-making, I encourage you to use the established council complaints procedure in the first instance.”

This newspaper requested copies of all inspection reports and related assessments conducted by DAERA officials or inspectors concerning Furnish Kennels including any follow-up actions or recommendations made as a result of these inspections. The key focus of the request which spanned over a year and a half was to understand how DAERA handled the facility's licensing and oversight process during this time.

The documents received, many of which were redacted, detail that DAERA received multiple inspection reports from Fermanagh and Omagh District Council regarding these facilities. The inspections focused on concerns about noise levels, waste management and the general welfare of animals at Furnish Kennels. The reports also referenced follow-up actions and recommendations made by inspectors although specific details of the recommendations were not disclosed in the documents.

Several of the documents reference formal requests for an independent investigation into conditions at puppy farms particularly focusing on the site at 83 Clabby Road, Fivemiletown. This site is one of the largest dog breeding establishments in the UK.

In a letter dated June 2024 a request was made for an independent investigation directed to Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir citing concerns regarding the licensing of the facility and calling for a review of the planning permissions and animal welfare practices.

In response to Freedom of Information request, a DAERA response to this newspaper stated: "In July 2024 DAERA Private Office receipted 267 letters to Minister Muir regarding a development at the UK Dog Breeding Academy, Fivemiletown (also known as Furnish Kennels), all of which requested an Independent Investigation into Fermanagh and Omagh District Council’s handling of the planning decision and licencing at the establishment.”

The letter highlighted concerns over animal noise waste management and potential violations of welfare standards according to correspondence disclosed in the documents.

In correspondence dated June 2024, DAERA acknowledged receipt of these requests but indicated that responsibility for enforcing animal welfare standards rests with the local councils specifically Fermanagh and Omagh District Council. The letter from DAERA stated that any further concerns regarding animal welfare should be directed to the Western Regional Animal Welfare Team who oversee investigations into complaints at local levels.

The Impartial Reporter asked Fermanagh and Omagh District Council if the Western Regional Animal Welfare had received complaints about U.K Dog Breeding Academy, Kelly’s Kennell’s, and Douglas Hall Kennels, how many complaints have been made and what action has been taken by the Council on the back of these complaints.

A spokeswoman for the Council this week said: “Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is unable to comment on individual cases or complaints made to the Western Regional Animal Welfare team. “Any complaints which are received by the Council are considered in line with our policies and procedures.”

The government documents also address requests for transparency concerning DAERA's handling of the licensing and enforcement processes for dog breeding facilities. A Public Interest Test was conducted to determine the release of internal communications related to the licensing of Furnish Kennels.

The request by The Impartial Reporter sought details of all internal communications inspection reports and complaints received by DAERA about the facility. In response, DAERA disclosed information under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) 2004. The disclosed documents provided insight into the licensing decisions inspection results and enforcement actions that were taken or considered by DAERA during the period in question.

In addition to welfare concerns, the documents from February 2024 disclose objections raised regarding a development application to expand the dog breeding facilities in Fivemiletown. The proposed development included the construction of new kennel buildings and external exercise areas at an existing dog breeding site.

A letter from DAERA addressed the planning application noting that the matter was being handled by the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council which is responsible for granting or rejecting such applications. The letter stated that the planning application along with related objections had been logged and was under review.

The planning application was withdrawn in March 2024 by the applicant, U.K Dog Breeding Academy.

Further, the documents indicate that DAERA has received multiple requests for a review of current dog breeding legislation in Northern Ireland. Correspondence dating from February to March 2024 shows that there have been requests for updates to the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 to address gaps in enforcement and respond to the increasing number of commercial dog breeding operations in the region.

In a letter dated March 2024, DAERA acknowledged the calls for a legislative review noting that any changes to the legislation would require consultation with local councils animal welfare groups and other relevant stakeholders. However, no timeline was provided for when such consultations or legislative updates might occur.

In a letter in response to calls for legislative change and further support for dog rescue homes, Neal Gartland, Director of Animal Health and Welfare Policy Division of DAERA said: “The Minister is very much committed to improving the welfare of all animals in Northern Ireland and is currently establishing his priorities going forward regarding animal welfare.

“The Minister has already met with animal welfare groups and plans to continue to meet as many stakeholders as possible, including those in the rescue community, to work together in addressing their concerns. The Department is keen to address and develop policy that will safeguard the welfare of companion animals.”