Welfare of Dogs (Scotland) Act 2025

1 Ministers to make code of practice

(1) The Scottish Ministers must make a code setting out good practice to follow in relation to—

(a) acquiring a dog, or

(b) transferring a dog to another person.

(2) In making the code of practice, the Scottish Ministers must have regard to the matters set out in sections 2 and 3.

(3) The code of practice may include provision giving effect to what is set out in sections 2 and 3 and any other matter that the Scottish Ministers consider appropriate.

(4) The code of practice must include provision giving effect to what is set out in section 4.

(5) Before making the code of practice, the Scottish Ministers must consult—

(a) such persons as they consider to be representative of prospective suppliers of dogs,

(b) such persons as they consider to be representative of prospective acquirers of dogs,

(c) such other persons as they consider appropriate.

(6) It is immaterial that anything done by way of preparation of, or consultation in relation to, the first code of practice under this section was done—

(a) before the Bill for this Act was passed, or

(b) after that but before this section comes into force.

(7) The code of practice is to come into effect on a date, specified in it, that is no later than 12 months after Royal Assent.

(8) The Scottish Ministers may by regulations modify subsection (7) to change the date which is for the time being specified there as the latest date by which the code of practice is to come into effect.

(9) Regulations under subsection (8) are subject to the negative procedure.

(10) The Scottish Ministers must publish the code of practice.

(11) The references in sections 5 to 7 to “the code of practice” are to the code of practice made under this section.

(12) In this Act, “transferring” a dog includes selling, giving away, exchanging, bartering or arranging for the long term loan or long term fostering of a dog, and related expressions are to be construed accordingly.