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🇧🇪 Belgium /Crime & Justice

Dog breeder in Dessel permanently loses license over animal welfare issues

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • The Flemish Minister of Animal Welfare has permanently revoked the recognition of a professional dog breeder in Dessel, Belgium.
  • The breeder repeatedly violated animal welfare standards, including poor hygiene, inadequate medical care, and insufficient living conditions for the dogs.
  • The owner has until July to rehome all dogs, and will never be allowed to apply for a new license.

A professional dog breeder in Dessel, Belgium, has permanently lost their license due to repeated and severe animal welfare violations. Flemish Minister of Animal Welfare Ben Weyts announced the decision, stating the breeder was "unable to meet the minimum standards for animal welfare."

Inspections between 2022 and 2026 revealed multiple serious shortcomings. These included dogs kept without adequate daylight or ventilation, poor hygiene, and neglected medical issues like ingrown nails and untreated dental problems. The breeder also faced issues with drinking water, undersized kennels, dirty bedding, and a lack of outdoor space, compounded by insufficient staff to care for the animals.

Who cannot or will not meet our conditions, may no longer breed animals.

· Ben WeytsFlemish Minister of Animal Welfare Ben Weyts explaining the permanent revocation of the dog breeder's license.

Despite receiving several chances to improve the situation, the breeder failed to meet the required standards. "Anyone who cannot or will not meet our conditions should not be allowed to breed animals anymore," Minister Weyts stated. "This operator has missed their final chance and will not get another. I am drawing the line here." The owner has until July to find new homes for all the dogs. The revocation is final, meaning the individual can never apply for a new breeder's license.

This operator has missed their final chance and will not get another. I am drawing the line here.

· Ben WeytsFlemish Minister of Animal Welfare Ben Weyts on the finality of the decision to revoke the dog breeder's license.
About this summary

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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