In a welcome animal rights victory, landmark legislation prohibiting the third-party sale of puppies and kittens for profit has become law in England, the UK government announced.
Lucy’s Law — named after a cavalier King Charles spaniel who was born in a Welsh puppy farm in 2008 and callously bred to produce multiple puppy litters — is designed to stop illegal puppy farming and ban third-party dealers, making all dog and cat breeders accountable for the welfare of the animals in their care.
People who want to add a puppy or kitten to their family will now have to acquire one directly from a licensed breeder or adopt from a rescue center. Traders who sell these animals without a licence can face up to six months in prison, or an unlimited fine.
The new legislation came into effect following a long campaign headed by veterinarian and animal welfare advocate Marc Abraham, which was supported by high-profile figures such as Brian May, Ricky Gervais and Peter Egan.
“I’m incredibly proud to have led the 10-year campaign to ban cruel puppy and kitten dealers and to get this essential Lucy’s Law legislation over the line,” said Abraham, who is also the founder of Pup Aid. “I’d like to give a huge thanks to the UK Government for passing this law, as well as every animal-loving parliamentarian, celebrity, welfare organization, and member of the public that supported us.”
“Lucy was an incredibly brave dog,” he continued, “and it’s right that her memory is honoured with such an important piece of legislation to help end puppy farm cruelty; protecting breeding dogs just like her, as well as cats, their young, and also unsuspecting animal-lovers from the dangers of irresponsible breeding and cruel puppy and kitten dealers.”
Come on citizens of England…..if YOU know of anyone who is still breeding dogs and selling puppies, make sure YOU inform the police or any responsible organisation such as the RSPCA. It is now against the law for these poor, innocent, defenceless dogs to be bred over and over and for their puppies to be sold. The puppy farmers do NOT give a damn about the dogs or puppies, all they care about is lining their fat-assed pockets with the money that these innocent victims can earn for them. They do not care if the mother dogs or the puppies become sick, they just sell them anyway and then the ‘buyer’ has the task of caring for a very sick animal or having the puppy die. Lets make sure this law is upheld for the sake of all the innocent dogs that have suffered and died for man’s greed and inhumanity.
yes, and not in all the Eastern Block countries where puppy milled dogs come in trucks to countries like Germany, France, etc. and not in the USA or Canada – both countries brutal for puppy mills – please continue and this is a great start and a great role model for others to follow
wonderful news now, please do the same in Canada and USA! and if China is upgrading dogs/cats to pets vs agricultural – then surely canada/usa can do the same – that is the loop hole used to get around puppy mills!
Shame on you so called animal lovers in the UK. Stand up on behalf of these innocent animals and BAN THESE CRUEL PUPPY MILLS FOE GOOD.
So glad!!
Yes Lucy’s Law has come in to effect in England
Not in Wales yet? Don’t know why? There are some good assembly members but I’m sure there are a lot of AM s that have family and friends in the puppy farm business!
yes, and not in all the Easter Block countries where puppy milled dogs come in trucks to countries like Germany, France, etc. and not in the USA or Canada – both countries brutal for puppy mills –
Yes Lucy’s Law has come in to effect in England
Not in Wales yet? Don’t know why? There are some good assembly members but I’m sure there are a lot of AM s that have family and friends in the puppy farm business!
Un exemple à suivre!
Celui qui aime vraiment les animaux, il adopte!!! Ceux qui achètent sont des égoïstes et des inconscients……Ce n’est pas le bien être de l’animal qui compte, mais le leur….
wonderful news but will this diabolical practice be policed ?? There must be so many back yard breeders who seem to get away with over breeding their animals. How about a law to neuter all males ??????Thank you and I hope the life of a dog is now going to be a good one. NO MORE BREEDING or PUPPY MILLS
Great news!
Pitié pour tout les animaux dont nous avons besoin pour notre bien être sur cette terre
Ayez pitie de tous ces malheureux animaux
What about private dog breeders who breed in there homes for huge profit,I am glad that puppy mills are now banned,its disgusting that people want to get rich out of forced pregancys and abusive neglect..Humans that do this make money out of neglect and do not care a crap,Women can be just as greedy as men.I wish that all mill breeders of different animals were banned,Animals suffer immensley…
Lets hope that Lucy laws does stop these puppy farms from breeding puppies after puppies
from their female dogs.
These puppy farms are cruel barbarice.
Hope they are all closed down as well as people that have got female dogs which they bang
out puppies after puppies just for money and no reguards for the female dogs that is just as bad as puppy farms.
Go U.K.! Please also ban rabbit mills and ferret mills.
Thank you UK for being such a brave leader in this matter. Now maybe other countries would follow in your footsteps.
SO GOOD TO KNOW THIS IS LAW !
SO GOOD TO KNOW THIS IS LAW !
I hope they will one day do the same in the U.S. and outlaw these cruel, abusive & nasty puppy mills. Our politicians are so weak and are sucking up to special interests. They don’t give a damn about the greater good.
Wonderful news!!
About time. Great news.
Well done.
What a fantastic result and legal precedent. Well done to all.
Yaaayyy. Did a dance of joy. Great news in such a dispiriting time.
YAY!
In this new world of uncertainty and fear, it is heartwarming to hear such terrific news. Thank you UK government. May it set an example for other countries to do the same for the sake of all these poor angels suffering in those horrid place.
More celebs. Please sign and help. Think of your own animals at home having a whale of a time.
Ha respekt for dyr!
Another victory for the Animals…