Redditch MP welcomes new law to end puppy and kitten farming - The Redditch Standard

Redditch MP welcomes new law to end puppy and kitten farming

Redditch Editorial 15th May, 2019   0

A NEW law to end puppy and kitten farming in the UK has been welcomed by Redditch MP Rachel Maclean.

Known as ‘Lucy’s Law,’ it means puppies and kittens can no longer be sold by third-party sellers such as a pet shops or commercial dealers – unless they have bred the animal themselves.

Instead anyone looking to buy or adopt a puppy or kitten under six months must either deal directly with the breeder or an animal re-homing centre.

The legislation was introduced to Parliament on Monday, May 13 by Environment Secretary Michael Gove and is expected to start in April 2020.




Mrs Maclean said: “I know all animal lovers will rejoice at this announcement.

“This cruel and barbaric practice must end and I’m glad our Government is taking action.


“As the owner of two rescue dogs, Phoebe and Herbie, I’m determined to ensure the UK has the toughest and most rigorous animal welfare standards in the world.”

The law is named after Lucy, a spaniel who died in 2016 after being subjected to terrible conditions on a Welsh puppy farm.

Dogs like Lucy are often kept by breeders to produce multiple litters of puppies, which are taken from their mothers and advertised online or sold in pet shops.

This practice causes lifelong socialisation issues as well as a number of preventable diseases.

The ban will also deter puppy smugglers who abuse the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) by bringing underage puppies into the UK which are then sold on for financial gain.

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