Justin Calls For Total Ban On Third Party Sales Of Dogs To End Puppy Farming

Justin Tomlinson MP has called for the Government to outlaw the sale of puppies by third parties after evidence showed that the animals are still routinely being farmed in horrific conditions.

His call for action comes after a meeting with vet Marc Abraham, who set up the Pup Aid charity in 2009 and who has been the resident vet on a wide-range of television programmes.

Puppy farms, located in Wales, Ireland and across continental Europe, provide puppies to sellers in England, often without the correct documentation and without evidence as to whether the puppy has formed an attachment with its mother.Reared in cramped conditions, often with little or no regard for the health of the puppies, the animals development is heavily effected.

The Department for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs recently issued guidance to people who want to buy a puppy advising them to ensure that only brought if they could also see its mother however stopped short of a total ban on third party sales, despite a recommendation from the influential Environment Select Committee. Although some retailers do ensure consumers can see the puppy’s mother, the vast majority do not.

Justin has been a long-term active campaigner in Parliament for protecting the welfare of animals and has worked closely with organisations including WWF, IFAW, Animals Asia, Guide Dogs, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home and Cats Protection. He led a debate in Parliament in 2014 after 140,000 people across the country, including thousands from Swindon, signed a petition calling for an end to puppy farming.

While progress was made after the debate, the practice still exists and more now needs to be done to end the trade. Although enforcement of the current regulations in Swindon is good, across the country many local authorities are failing to take action.

Pup Aid and Justin are calling on the Government to support a total ban on sales except for those from breeders who are recognised by the Kennel Club, and he is encouraging local residents to back the campaign. Without a complete ban on third party sales, it is highly likely that the welfare of puppies bred for sale in England will continue to be at serious risk.

Justin has now tabled a number of parliamentary questions on the subject and will press Ministers to take strong action.

Justin Tomlinson MP said: “Residents in Swindon know that this is a matter I take very seriously and when we launched the initial Pup Aid campaign against puppy farming in 2014, they responded in huge numbers. Now, alongside Pup Aid and the excellent vet, Marc Abrahams, I am calling on the Government to implement a full ban on third party sales of puppies. Without this change, and tighter enforcement, without knowing it people across the country will continue to be able to buy puppies that have been farmed and have had no access to their mother; something which hugely effects the health and well-being of the animal.”