(1) An application for a breeder identification number may be made by a person if--(a) the person is--(i) the owner or person in charge of a companion animal, or(ii) a body corporate that ordinarily keeps a companion animal, and(b) the companion animal--(i) has a litter, or(ii) is a dog kept for dog breeding.
(2) The Departmental Chief Executive may allocate a breeder identification number to the applicant.
(3) The Departmental Chief Executive must refuse to allocate a breeder identification number to a person if--(a) the person already has a breeder identification number, or(b) for an individual--the Departmental Chief Executive is aware the individual--(i) is subject to a disqualification order, or(ii) has been convicted of an animal cruelty offence, or(c) for a body corporate--the Departmental Chief Executive is aware the body corporate or an individual involved in the management or control of the body corporate--(i) is subject to a disqualification order, or(ii) has been convicted of an animal cruelty offence.