These include introducing Lucy’s Law to ban third party sale of puppies and kittens, outlawing the use of adverse training devices such as shock collars, and mandating microchipping of cats, all of which are among the top priorities for proposed animal welfare reforms.

Minister Muir has said: “Animal welfare is one of my top priorities. I want to ensure that we focus on the right initiatives and that our resources are focused in the areas most in need of reform.

“I intend to bring forward a suite of secondary legislation to address a wide range of issues, including, for example, the mandatory microchipping of cats and strengthening microchipping requirements, including making it an offence not to update records, and the prohibition of the use of aversive training devices such as shock collars.

“While my department is currently making preparations to bring forward a version of Lucy’s Law for Northern Ireland and consult on mandatory CCTV in slaughterhouses, it is also my ambition to commission a comprehensive expert review of dog breeding licensing, which would consider the need for regulation of canine fertility services.

“While I want to give an indication of what the priorities will be, the detail of those reforms will be open to public consultation and ongoing dialogue with experts. I believe that by working together we can ensure our efforts are focused on addressing the right issues and collectively, we can go further to achieve the best possible outcomes.

 “With Christmas approaching, I also want to take this opportunity to appeal to anyone considering buying a pet as a present this Christmas to think carefully before doing so. Once you are sure you can commit to the responsibility of owning a pet, please consider giving a home to one of the many animals living in rehoming centres.”