Local MP, Justin Tomlinson, has pledged to stamp out the sale of commercially farmed puppies within North Swindon and across England.
Justin will be helping lead a key debate in the House of Commons in September, demanding action. The debate has been secured following a campaign by the animal welfare group Pup Aid, and the support of over 108,000 members of the public who have signed an e-petition asking the government to ban the sale of puppies and kittens without their mothers present.
Kept in horrific conditions, these puppies are usually unvaccinated, unsocialised, removed from their mothers too early, then sent long distances cross country and sold en masse – usually poorly and riddled with painful disease – to pet shops, private dealers, and for sale through websites.
Justin is calling on the Government to legislate to stop the cruel practice by banning the sale of puppies where the mother is not present.
Justin Tomlinson MP said: "We must help curb the sale of these puppies. As well as the huge damage puppy farming causes both pups and their mothers, new owners - often young families - are frequently left to deal with the financial and emotional wreckage when these puppies develop serious behavioural problems, or require expensive veterinary treatments, and at worst, euthanasia.
TV Vet Marc Abraham, who has led the Pup Aid campaign, said: "Pup Aid's e-petition is proudly the biggest government petition supporting pet welfare of all time, clearly showing that the British public are opposed to puppy farms, and we finally have a chance to change the law cutting out this important supply route – the pet shop. The support of MPs like Justin is vital if we are to ensure that the Government acts. It's so important that potential owners see the puppy interacting with its mother and in conditions that support both its physical and behavioural development; and current legislation must reflect this."
