P-05-856 Ban the sale of puppies by pet shops and all commercial 3rd party dealers in Wales (Lucy’s Law)

This petition was submitted by C.A.R.I.A.D., having collected 11,195 signatures.

Text of Petition

We call on the National Assembly for Wales to urge the Welsh Government to implement a ban on the sale of puppies by pet shops and all commercial third-party dealers.

A ban on third-party sale of puppies for profit has been named 'Lucy's Law' and its implementation in England was recently announced. Lucy's Law has huge public, media and cross-party support and we call on the National Assembly for Wales to urge the Welsh Government to deliver Lucy's Law for Wales as a matter of urgency.

Removing puppies for sale from their mum often creates sick, traumatised, dysfunctional dogs. Puppies should be seen with their mum in the place they were born. Transporting them to a different place for sale harms their welfare. Regulating commercial third-party puppy selling is ineffective in preventing harm and a ban is therefore necessary for the welfare of puppies.

Breeding dogs kept in puppy farms are hidden from public view and often suffer from years of physical and psychological trauma. Regulating commercial third-party puppy selling is ineffective in preventing harm to breeding dogs and a third-party ban on puppy selling is therefore necessary for the welfare of breeding dogs.
A ban on the third-party sale of puppies will have a positive impact on breeding dogs, ensuring their visibility and enabling the public to act on best practice advice to view the puppy with the mum where the puppy was born.

In addition, illegal, unlicensed puppy farmers and puppy smugglers currently use licensed third-parties to sell their puppies, making it possible for them to operate under the radar and without the health and welfare of breeding dogs and puppies able to be monitored by local authorities. Regulating commercial third-party puppy selling is ineffective in preventing illegal puppy farming and puppy smuggling and a third-party ban on puppy selling is therefore necessary for the protection of dogs, puppies and the public as well as in the prevention of criminal activity. 

There are no welfare advantages in selling puppies through commercial dealers. This practice only ensures breeding dogs are kept hidden from the public. As well as welfare concerns for animals, third-party sales create additional risks for public health and safety.

Puppy sales direct from reputable breeder or reputable rescue centre protects all parties through greater transparency and accountability. A ban on dealing in puppies for profit can only raise health and welfare standards for breeding dogs and puppies as well as providing greatly needed public protection.

The implementation of Lucy's Law in Wales is also vital if we are to address the damage that has been done to the reputation of Wales, which continues to be acknowledged as the puppy farming hub of the United Kingdom.

Assembly Constituency and Region

· Bridgend

· South Wales West