England Has Taken the Gauntlet Up: Kitten and Puppy Mill are Now Banned!

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By Adrea

UK Mirror’s Andrew Penman, Lucy’s owner Lisa Garner, actor Peter Egan and campaign founder Marc Abraham at Downing Street for announcement of Lucy’s Law being passed (Photo: Phil Harris)

 

England has announced  government ban on kitten and puppy mill across the country thanks for the Lucy’s Law Campaign.

Michael Gove, Environment Secretary, presented the new regulation at 10 Downing Street saying, “We will eliminate puppy farming.  We will make sure third party sales of kittens and puppies ends.”

“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.”

Marc Abraham, received Gove’s praise for his instrumental work in the area of pet advocacy including  Pup AidCare And Respect Includes All Dogs (CARIAD), and Canine Action UK, all of which he founded. A winner of a previous Animal Hero Awards, 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.

“By banning third party sellers, Lucy’s Law will ensure all breeders are accountable, making it the first major step in tackling puppy farm cruelty.

“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.”

Lucy’s Law Campaign, spearheaded by Abraham and with the support of  animal rights charities throughout the country, was begun when Lucy’s story as a malnourished, over-bred King Charles Cavalier Spaniel came to light.  AT just four-weeks of age, her puppies were taken from her and Lucy was put back into the breeding cycle.  Animals used in this way by irresponsible breeders are often kept in cramped and filthy cages with no access to exercise or concerns about their health and well-being. It is all about money, pure and simple.

Queen band member Brian May shows his support brandishing a campaign rosette. (Photo:: Phil Harris)

Lucy’s Law was presented to Parliament as follows:

LUCY’S LAW: IMMEDIATE BAN ON THE SALE OF PUPPIES BY PET SHOPS AND OTHER THIRD-PARTY COMMERCIAL DEALERS

That this House calls for the immediate ban on the sale of puppies by pet shops and other third­party commercial dealers; recognises that implementing Lucy’s Law will be a major step forward in putting an end to unnecessary animal cruelty and helping to eradicate forms of irresponsible dog breeding and selling, such as puppy farming, smuggling and trafficking; notes that irresponsible breeding practices, such as puppy farms, are enabled and even encouraged by the third-party trade in puppies that are sold away from their mothers and place of birth in locations such as pet shops; and acknowledges that Lucy’s Law will help to protect breeding dogs and puppies by making all breeders accountable and transparent, ensuring consistency with the Government’s advice that purchasers should see puppies interacting with their mother in the place that they were born.

Lucy’s Law campaign poster (Photo: Daily Mirror)

Celebrities, such as Ricky Gervais, joined in support of the ban, using social media to encouraged others to stand up against kitten and puppy mills.  All of this combined brought the ban into being.

Animal advocate and actor Ricky Gervais at the Animal Hero Awards (Photo: Philip Coburn/Daily Mirror)

“A ban on third-party sales will ensure the nation’s much-loved pets get the right start in life. People who have a complete disregard for pet welfare will no longer be able to profit from this miserable trade,” Gove stated to the gathering with Abraham adding, “I’m delighted with the news that Lucy’s Law is finally going to happen … By banning third-party sellers, Lucy’s Law will ensure all breeders are accountable, making it the first major step in tackling puppy farm cruelty.”

With so many animals waiting in shelters and rescues, banning kitten and puppy mills is key to this movement, such as those being lead by organizations such a Living Free. It can be done. It just takes action and one need only take a look at England to see proof. While it will take a lot of work to make this law effective, the coming together of animal advocacy organizations, lawmakers, and animal lovers, this is a major first step in the right direction.

 

 

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