Michael Gove mulling ban on pet shop puppy sales
2 min read
Ministers are considering a ban on the sale of puppies in pet shops and from other third party dealers, Michael Gove has said.
The Environment Secretary's proposal comes as part of a package to drive up welfare standards that includes improved licensing for breeders due to come into force later this year.
The policy would mean anyone looking to buy or adopt a dog would either deal directly with the breeder or an animal rehousing centre.
It follows an announcement in December by Theresa May that ministers would crackdown on unscrupulous puppy dealers by banning the sale of young dogs without their mother present.
Ahead of the Government’s call for evidence on the latest proposals, Mr Gove said: “We need to do everything we can to make sure the nation’s much loved pets get the right start in life.
“From banning the sale of underage puppies to tackling the breeding of dogs with severe genetic disorders, we are cracking down on sellers who have a total disregard for their dogs’ welfare.
“This is a further step to raise the bar on animal welfare standards.
“We are also introducing mandatory CCTV in all slaughterhouses and increasing maximum prison sentences tenfold for animal abusers.”
Legislation being put forward by parliament today and which is expected to come in later this year, will also ban licensed sellers from dealing in puppies and kittens under the age of eight weeks and insist licensed dog breeders can only sell puppies they have bred themselves.
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