For the time being, around 400 dogs have not left the controversial puppy dealer in Eersel. The Hague judge said on Monday that he did not have enough information to rule. Animal welfare organization House of Animals had initiated summary proceedings to force the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority to remove all the dogs within 24 hours.
The case will not be heard for about four weeks. Until then, little seems to change with the breeder. For example, the judge wants the NVWA’s extensive inspection report first. He also wants to speak to Kwispel farmer Enzo himself, but she was not present in court.
The Animal House is disappointed. “The dogs have suffered needlessly for months at this bad breeder,” the House of Animals attorney said vehemently. According to the NVWA, this is much more nuanced. “It’s not about all dogs. It’s unreasonable. We can’t remove all the animals in such a short period of time. This takes a lot of preparation time with the police and reception.
Bad drinking water
Kwispel dog breeder Enzo has been under fire for a long time. The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) has been to our doorstep at least ten times. Various violations have emerged, such as poor drinking water quality and insufficient surface area in the pens. Even the animals rarely went out.
On December 22, the NVWA seized 30 dogs in need of acute care. The NVWA also said it would “continue the enforcement process.” House of Animals found that this was not enough and therefore filed a summary appeal.
Long battle
The legal battle is far from over. Previously, the council had already ruled in the courts that all dogs must be gone last week. The breeding is in contrast with the so-called regulatory plan and therefore no animals can be kept in that place, the judge established.
That removal didn’t happen, the breeder in turn filed several lawsuits to prevent it. A hearing in the Council of State, the highest judicial body, will be held on January 19.
