After a whopping 95 percent of public comments voiced support for ending the sale of puppies and kittens in pet stores, the British government confirmed that it will roll out the legislation in 2019. Anyone looking to purchase a kitten or puppy under six months old must either get one from a rescue shelter or directly from a private breeder.
From the time the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) took the first public comment to the rollout of the new law, it took just five months to get the legislation confirmed. Animal Welfare Minister David Rutley hailed the campaign, entitled “Lucy’s Law“, saying in part,
“We promote responsible pet ownership in our welfare codes and I urge fellow animal lovers to consider the idea of rehoming a dog from the many wonderful organizations across the country.”
Britain’s newest ban comes on the heels of previous legislation rolled out in October 2018, which blocked licensed dealers from selling dogs and cats under eight weeks old.
Lucy’s Law was created by Dr. Marc Abraham, a veterinarian in Brighton, after the 2016 death of Lucy, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Her case brought much-needed attention to the horrific neglect suffered by animals in puppy mills; Lucy exhibited debilitating health issues such as fused hips, a curved spine and malnutrition due to unscrupulous breeding practices.
A petition with more than 143,000 signatures in support of Lucy’s Law was presented to the government in May. Major animal charities such as the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and celebrities including animal advocate Ricky Gervais were extremely supportive of the initiative. Earlier this year, in case any of his 13 million followers were considering adding a pet to their family, Mr. Gervais tweeted,
“This weekend plan a visit to your local rescue shelter, where your new best friend is waiting for you. #LucysLaw”.
In addition to promoting adoption, the new law will also tackle irresponsible breeding and sale of animals from puppy and kitten mills. Dr. Abraham stated,
“Lucy’s Law will help end puppy farming, protect the future health and happiness of dogs like poor little Lucy, as well as encourage prospective pet owners to adopt from their local rescue shelter too.”
The British Government is also raising the bar on sentencing animal abusers, and has increased the Court’s ability to assign maximum sentences to up to five years, the harshest sentencing in Europe.
What’s New…
FINALLY — BRITAIN sees the light and is doing the RIGHT THING — THANK YOU — the animals, abused, exploited, love you for it.
Parce que je suis contre la cruauté envers les animaux
I will believe it when I see it in action, the UK government has never cared about any animal let alone cats and dogs, and taking the person to court and giving them up to 5 years in prison is a joke too it will just be a slap on the wrist and told on your way and don’t do it again.
But saying all that I really hope it happens, I have 3 rescues dogs and would never have it any other way.
One thing ,this govt managed to get right , now it needs to end cruel utterly pointless badger slaughter. When all the badgers are dead who will they blame for bovine tuberculosis?
This is good news!
Lucy’s law.is such a wonderful accomplishment. Thank you great Britain, and Ricky gervais
Listen up.america
Thank goodness our government are doing something positive for dogs and cats by rolling out this legislation out to protect them! It has been a long time coming, and i think it is a very good idea to adopt a dog or a cat from an animal shelter, as there are thousands of animals waiting for their forever homes
“TO ALL OF YOU” that are saying about time too & whoopee !! “THINK ABOUT IT” !! so people cannot now buy from pet stores “SO WHERE” will many go to ????? its STILL” far cheaper to buy from a puppy mill / farm than at the RSPCA or PDSA !!! & that’s where these people “WILL GO” !!! so by this new law they are in fact “ENCOURAGING” those who want puppies / kittens ect to use these horrendous farms !! just wait a few months after this becomes law & “WATCH” the use of these farms “DOUBLE” in USE” !!!
About time too
Dogs and Cats should be adopted out for free to good homes.
this is good in one way but in a nother will force it more under ground andseling on social medis site will increase
this is good in one way but will cause a lot of sellers to use back door methods like social media and other plases as you see many add asking if any one has as well as for sale
Glad this decision has been made!
my rescue dog tina and I are very happy about this new law,but I do think we in the uk could do more regarding live animal exports,,,but I belive this is on the agenda….
Yeah a victor, so happy to hear this. I hope all countries follow suit.
I must say the ladt time i saw puppies for sale.in a pet shop eas in blackpool uk.that was 30 years ago.and sadly that pet shop was set fire.and all the animals .also died .i was deeply upset.but since then i have not see dogs or kittens for sale .i am very happy about that .and if the rest of the world would follow.thats all so good news .so many beautiful dogs and cats .in shelters .why buy them .from breeders or petshops .all dogs should have .loving homes ..a dog dosent ask for much .but they get treated badly ..go to shelter.no more pet shops
Sometimes humans are ok. Well only just!
The cruelty inflicted on innocent animals is horrendous,
No feeling ,No conceince, No love for anything in this world than themselves
SICKENING.
Make sentences severe ,ban them for life ,that way animals will be safer.
Pauline !! this poxy country does not give a damn about the sentence they give out to these scumbags “ONLY THE FINANCIAL FINE” that’s imposed ! “IF” they did care not only would they ban them from owning any animal for life but sentence them to a long prison sentence as well “BUT THAT NEVER HAPPENS” !!
so happy this day as come at long last.,
That should be enforced in all EU countries by LAW!!!
Long overdue.
Un bel exemple que la France devrait suivre!!!
That’s a start but will this end the cruel puppy farming, what about ordinary people that have unspayed animals that they breed will this new law affect them, how about banning the sale of all animals on these sites like pre loved and so forth!!!
Very good news, but what about people who did not sterilise their dogs and cats and took them to the pet shops. Will the dumping of such animals not increase now?
Fantastic news!
Way to go Britain hopefully the rest of Europe will take the same stand. Thank you.
Bravo for Britain: “The British Government is also raising the bar on sentencing animal abusers, and has increased the Court’s ability to assign maximum sentences to up to five years, the harshest sentencing in Europe.” I am very pleased to see positive steps taken for animals. I wish the USA were doing more.
Judy !! yes “MAY BE” they are increasing the sentences “BUT WILL THESE “PAST SELL BY DATE MORONIC JUDGES DO SO ??? highly unlikely !! if these scumbags who are now going around stabbing innocent citizens to death are only getting their wrist slapped& then sent away with just a warning not to do it again what chance do these animal breeding cretins stand getting a prison sentence ?? “BASICALLY NONE” !!!!
Bravo Britain!!
Hip hip hoorah for common sense & animal welfare protection!!