P-05-856 Ban the sale of puppies by pet shops and all commercial 3rd party dealers in Wales
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.
Status
This petition was
considered completed by the Petitions Committee at its meeting on 13/09/2021.
The
Committee considered the correspondence received and noted that The Animal
Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Wales) Regulations 2021
had been passed by the Senedd in March 2021. The Committee therefore
congratulated campaigners, and agreed to close the petition.
Full details of the
consideration of this petition by the Committee and related documents can be
seen on the Meetings tab above.
It was first
considered by the Petitions Committee on 29/01/2019.
Senedd Constituency and
Region
- Bridgend
- South Wales West
Further
information
Business type: Petition
Reason considered: Senedd Business;
Status: For consideration
First published: 24/01/2019