Lucy's Law campaign wins cross party support
Posted on Thursday 31st January 2019
Members of Newport City Council voted unanimously to back a proposal by council leader Councillor Debbie Wilcox to support the Lucy’s Law National Campaign.
The vote won cross party support following a debate at the full council meeting on Tuesday (jan 29).
The council will now add its name to the growing list of organisations backing the campaign to ban the selling of puppies by third parties and will proactively highlight the campaign to residents across the city.
Councillor Wilcox, whose formal motion was second by Councillor Jason Hughes, is to write in support of the campaign to both the First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford and Prime Minister Theresa May highlighting Newport’s support for the introduction of this law in both Wales and England.
Councillor Wilcox said: “The sale of puppies through third party dealers can seriously harm animal welfare, there is an increased risk of exposure to disease, behavioural problems resulting from premature separation from the mother and lack of appropriate socialisation.
“The puppy market is very lucrative with even small breeds selling for more than £1,000.
“A ban on commercial third party sales would amount to a legal requirement that only licensed dog breeders would be able to sell puppies in the course of a business.
“It would not impact on non-commercial activities including rehoming puppies through dog charities and sanctuaries as they are not done for profit.
“A ban on third party selling, as proposed by the Lucy’s Law National Campaign, will probably not entirely eradicate puppy farming but it is an effective strategy to dramatically reduce the scale of the problem and compel breeders to raise standards.
“The council’s trading standards officers have dealt with a number of unlicensed pet sellers and breeders which has led to enforcement action”
The meeting heard that legislation is currently different in Wales. While pet shops are governed by the Pet Animals Act 1951, there is separate devolved legislation covering dog breeders, namely the Animal Welfare (Breeders of Dogs) (Wales) Regulations 2014.
“Welsh governemtn is keeping a watching brief on developments in England and has expressed its general support for a band on third party sellers.
“By supporting this motion members are sending the right message that such practices will not be tolerated in our city and indeed our country,” said Cllr Wilcox.