To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to protect the welfare of pet dogs.

The welfare of pet dogs in England is protected by a suite of existing legislation including the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and specific laws regulating the welfare of dogs in breeding establishments, pet shops and animal boarding establishments. In order to reduce the amount of time a displaced dog may spend in kennels, it will be a requirement from April 2016 for all dogs to be identified with a microchip. The Government also works closely with animal welfare organisations and certain internet sites to promote more responsible advertising of animals, including dogs.