The 39-page paper, prepared by Fieldfisher associate Hannah Unger, director Rory Ferguson and solicitor Dearbhla Walsh on a pro bono basis, reviews Irish legislation alongside international law and best practice to suggest “practical, measured and effective” reforms.

The paper highlights a dramatic rise in the number of dogs entering Irish pounds, which rose by 77 per cent year-on-year to 7,352 in 2022 while the number of dogs euthanised in Irish pounds doubled to 340.

The authors link this to Ireland’s “poor regulatory framework [which] has created a multi-million-euro industry (estimated to be worth around €187 million) and has resulted in Ireland also becoming a huge exporter of puppies to more tightly regulated countries”.

“The reforms outlined in this paper are designed to ensure that Ireland creates a regulatory framework that is well resourced, controlled and enhances the welfare of dogs,” they said.