Damning ‘ChatGPT’ doc that one senator says proves the US-based entrepreneur behind ‘Irish’ website through which 25,000 puppies a year are sold ‘is not on the side of animal or dog welfare’ – and why he is accused of being a lobbyist for breeders

Dogs.ie owner Paul Savage denied being a lobbyist for puppy farmers at an Irish parliamentary committee hearing, but acknowledged sharing breeders a ChatGPT-generated document setting out arguments about proposed breeding legislation. The exchange raised questions about his influence in the debate and whose interests the large puppy-selling website represents.

Savage’s site facilitates the sale of about 25,000 puppies a year, and the article says breeder advertising is a primary source of its income. Senator Chris Andrews said the document outlined arguments against the legislation and argued Savage was not on the side of animal welfare; Savage said he had not written it. The proposed Dog Welfare Bill would cap breeding establishments at 30 dogs and strengthen protections, while the article also reports concerns about sick puppies and limited transparency at large-scale farms.