Victory for Lucy's Law campaigners banning puppy and kitten farming
The campaign had a number of celebrity supporters
Last updated 22nd Aug 2018
Campaigners for the Lucy's Law campaign, to ban puppy farming have been celebrating the success of their campaign. The Government has announced it will be banning the sale of puppies by pet shops, online dealers and other third party sellers, with the Environment Secretary Michael Gove praising the campaign for highlighting the horrendous conditions that the young animals are subjected to.
The proposals by Lucy's Law mean that anyone wanting to get a pet which is less than six month's old will need to go to a breeder or a rescue centre.
"We will eliminate puppy farming,” Mr Gove said in speech at Number 10 Downing Street, “We will make sure third party sales of kittens and puppies ends."
He went on to say, "Far too many of the pets that people, with the best will in the world, bring into their homes we know have been brought up in squalid circumstances, in circumstances of pain and suffering and misery which should never be inflicted on any living thing.”
Mr Gove went on to praise Brighton vet Marc Abraham who was the founder of Lucy's Law, which is named after a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Lucy was badly treated in the puppy farming system. A petition for the campaign has now been signed by nearly 150,000 people and was debated by Parliament in May.
Responding to the decision, Marc Abraham said, "I'm delighted with the news that Lucy's Law is finally going to happen.
"For years irresponsible breeders in the UK and abroad - puppy farmers - have always used third parties to keep themselves well-hidden from the buying public.
He continued, "Lucy's Law is a tribute to Lucy and all the victims of the third party puppy trade; and I thank all my fellow campaigners, supporters, parliamentarians, celebrities and ethical animal welfare organisations for their help in protecting the future health and happiness of this country's dogs and cats."
As well as the many members of public supporting the campaign, there have been some high profile supporters including TV presenter Eamonn Holmes and Queen's Brian May.
Downton Abbey actor Peter Egan also supported the campaign saying, "I’m euphoric, Lucy’s Law is the way to stop this dreadful puppy trade."
On the 1st October this year, rules banning licensed sellers dealing in dogs and cats less than eight weeks old are already coming in and campaigners have welcomed the announcement.