RESPONSIBLE OWNERSHIP: ‘Lucy’s Law’ requires those wanting to buy or adopt a puppy or kitten younger than six months to deal directly with breeders or shelters
Focus Taiwan
Date: Mar 18, 2019
By: Lee I-chia / Staff reporter
Lawmakers and animal rights advocates yesterday discussed the feasibility of legislation
A poodle sits with a US and UK flag around its neck in Taipei on Feb. 7.Photo: Yang Hsin-hui, Taipei Times
similar to England’s so-callled “Lucy’s Law,” which prohibits pet shops or dealers from selling puppies and kittens younger than six months.
Dozens of animal lovers, animal welfare groups, academics, legislators and representatives of pet breeders and commercial dealers attended a conference at National Taiwan University’s School of Veterinary Medicine in Taipei to discuss ways to eliminate puppy and kitten mills, and the abuse and health problems associated with such breeding practices.
Lucy’s Law was passed by the British Parliament in October last year and announced by British Undersecretary of State for Food and Animal Welfare David Rutley on Dec. 23. It only applys to England.
The law aims to “put an end to unnecessary animal cruelty and help eradicate forms of irresponsible dog breeding and selling, such as puppy farming, smuggling and trafficking.”
Georny Liu (劉偉蘋), chief executive of Supporting Team Social Enterprise and the organizer of yesterday’s conference, said Lucy’s Law forces anyone looking to buy or adopt a puppy or kitten to either deal directly with a breeder or with an animal rehoming center, which might help protect animals by holding breeders accountable and making the process transparent. [FULL STORY]
