Wigan dad's animal rights petition to be debated by MPs
Richard Ackers has been campaigning to get his proposals in front of MPs for nearly a year
Last updated 24th Nov 2021
A Wigan dad who's spent the last year campaigning for tougher rules around the sale of animals online has made a major breakthrough.
The "Reggieslaw - Regulate online animal sales petition" was set up by Richard Ackers from Ashton in Makerfield last year after a pet he bought for his family died just days after he took it home.
A committee of MP's has now agreed to allow MPs to debate the proposals next month.
The debate will take place on Monday 13 December at 4.30pm in Westminster Hall, which is the second debating chamber of the House of Commons. Christina Rees MP, a member of the committee, will open the debate.
It all started last December when Richard purchased his new puppy Reggie for £1,800 but within three hours of arriving back home, he fell ill with diarrhoea.
By the following morning, he had deteriorated and was suffering from both diarrhoea and vomiting which became progressively worse until he was rushed to the vets.
After being given the options of either a major blood transfusion or putting him to sleep and with the vet recommending the latter, the decision was made to let him go.
Richard said: "I cannot disguise that our decision to follow this advice was one of the most difficult and traumatic that we have ever taken and still affects us to this day.
"Reggie died just four days after we bought him, officially due to parvovirus.
"The end of his very short life was painful and horrific."
Richard is now campaigning for better regulation of any websites where animals are sold.
The petition says:
"Given how many animals are sold online, we want Government to introduce regulation of all websites where animals are sold. Websites should be required to verify the identity of all sellers, and for young animals for sale pictures with their parents be posted with all listings."
Animal Welfare Alliance
Whilst waiting for the petition to gather its 107,000 signatures, Richard has already made huge changes to the way a number of selling websites work.
Since September, 10 of the UK's leading online marketplaces have introduced new systems to crack down on scam pet sellers.
They now share data on unscrupulous sellers and are able to provide a more detailed account of their activities to Animal Protection Service who can then look to prosecute.
READ MORE: UK's leading online marketplaces will share data to crack down on pet fraud
Walking to Downing Street
Now, in order to further raise awareness of the debate and to raise money for animal charities, Richard is planning on walking from his home in Wigan to Downing Street to deliver the petition to government officials in person.
The money raised will go to Hope Rescue and Animal Protection Services.
He'll set off at 7:45am on the 2nd of December and do the 232 mile trek during the course of a week, finally arriving in Downing Street at 2pm on the 7th of December.
The campaign has already got the support of dozens of MPs from across the political spectrum including Labour's Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Luke Pollard.
Richard is encouraging anyone to come and support him during a leg of the walk that's near to them.
He said: "Now way did I ever think we would reach over 107,000 signatures, in little over 12 weeks as well.
"The thought of going to Downing Street and walking up... I've walked past it and it's a bit of a bucket list type thing.
"To do it for three amazing charities is quite surreal."
Day 1: 02/12/2021
Depart Wigan 7.45am
Arrive 10.15am – COSTA COFFEE A49 WINWICK ROAD WARRINGTON
Arrive 11.30am – BUS STOP BISTRO BAR STOCKETON HEATH WARRINGTON
Arrive 14.30 – FOUR LANES GARAGE MARSTON CW9 6DL
Arrive 18.00pm – GEORGE AND DRAGON CW4 7EA
Arrive 22.15pm – PREMIER INN NEWCASTLE UNDER LYME ST5 7AH
Day 2: 03/12/2021
Arrive 12.00 – OATCAKES MILKSHAKE ST15 8QW
Arrive 17.00pm – WORSLEY ARMS ST17 0XS
Arrive 20.30pm – THE FEATHERS WS13 7BA
Arrive 23.00pm - PREMIER INN TANWORTH B77 5PN
Day 3: 04/12/2021
Arrive 11am - COSTA CV9 2PY
Arrive 15.00pm – HINCKLEY KNIGHT LE10 2JQ
Arrive 21.00pm – SUNNY MEADOW FARM NN6 7PP
Day 4: 05/12/2021
Arrive 11am – TESCO EXPRESS NN7 4 QD
Arrive 18.00pm BIG JOES MK13 9HB
Arrive 21.00pm – MK STADIUM
Day 5: 06/12/2021
Arrive 11.30am - FLYING FOX MK17 9HD
Arrive 16.30pm –HARVESTER AL3 8HT
Arrive 21.00pm – PREMIER INN – EN6 3NH
DAY 6 : 07/12/2021
Arrive 13.00-13.30pm – KING GEORGE IV STATUE WC2N 5DN (Meet here to walk to Downing Street)
Arrive 14.00pm- DOWNING STREET deliver petition (Meet at the gates of Downing Street)