Tackling Illegal Puppy Farmers and Smugglers
As former NI Assembly Speaker, Jnr. Minister in OFMDFM, and MLA, I’m delighted to have developed the Private Members’ Bill (PMB), Lucy’s Law 4 Northern Ireland. I’m indebted to veterinary surgeon and animal campaigner Dr Marc Abraham OBE for his advice and support. The PMB is to tackle the cruelty of the puppy farmers and smugglers.
Animal cruelty is a blemish on our society. Is there be any greater level of cruelty than the continual breeding of dogs and the disposing of the dogs when their breeding life is over? Puppy farmed dogs spend their life in cages, in dank, dark smelly barns out of public view; they have a lifetime of misery.
The illegal puppy farmers, estimated by local animal welfare charity USPCA to be worth millions, smuggle pups to unsuspecting cross-channel buyers. Often from the Republic of Ireland into Northern Ireland and onto cross-channel ferries. The police confirm serious organised crime is involved in the breeding and trafficking.
Those who engage in this vile trade have no respect for the dogs or the innocent customers who are often buying sick pups. The vile trade can be stopped. However, it takes everyone to recognise the scale of the cruelty and the suffering it causes.
Tackling the abuse of the puppy farmers needs current NI regulations to be strengthened. “Lucy’s Law”, named after a rescued puppy farmed dog, requires buyers to purchase from a breeder. Introduced in England, Scotland, and Wales, not yet operational in Northern Ireland, will become law via my Northern Ireland Assembly Private Members’ Bill. In my absence from the Assembly, I’m pleased Keith Buchanan MLA will take the PMB forward to 1st Reading.
