A NEW law to end puppy and kitten farming in the UK has been welcomed by the MP for Redditch County Rachel Maclean.

Known as ‘Lucy’s Law,’ it will mean that puppies and kittens can no longer be sold by a third-party seller, such as a pet shop or commercial dealer, unless they have bred the animal themselves.

Instead, anyone looking to buy or adopt a puppy or kitten under six months must either deal directly with the breeder or an animal rehoming centre.

The law is named after Lucy, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who died in 2016 after being subjected to terrible conditions on a Welsh puppy farm.

Dogs like Lucy are often kept by breeders to produce multiple litters of puppies, which are taken from their mothers at just a few weeks’ old and advertised online or sold in pet shops.

This practice causes lifelong socialisation issues for the puppy or kitten, as well as a number of preventable diseases.

It is hoped this new law will ensure that puppies and kittens are born and reared in a safe environment, with their mother, and sold from their place of birth.

The ban will also deter puppy smugglers who abuse the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) by bringing underage puppies into the UK which are then sold on for financial gain.

The legislation was introduced to Parliament on Monday (May 13) by Environment Secretary Michael Gove.

It’s hoped the ban will come into effect from April 2020.

Rachel said: “I know all animal lovers will rejoice at this announcement. This cruel and barbaric practice must end, and I’m glad it’s this Government taking action.

“As the owner of two rescue dogs, Phoebe and Herbie, I’m determined to ensure the UK has the toughest and most rigorous animal welfare standards in the world.”