Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Why changes had to come
Anguish that fired up fight
THE fight to change the law was named after a dog rescued from horrific conditions in a puppy farm.
Cavalier King Charles spaniel Lucy had fused hips and a curved spine from being caged.
She was also malnourished, had epilepsy, bald patches on her fur and her skin smelt like burning flesh from the ammonia in the urine she was forced to sleep in.
Lisa Garner of Warwickshire, who took her in, said: “It was clear she had been subjected to appalling conditions. However, with lots of patience, Lucy enjoyed a life filled with happiness and [it] radiated to all those who met her.”
Lucy was well-known at antipuppy farming events even before the campaign began.
When she died in 2016 she had 70,000 Facebook followers.
Lisa took in another rescue dog, Plum Pudding, who in turn became the new poster girl for the Lucy’s Law campaign.
The news of the change in the law was “just phenomenal”, said Lisa yesterday.
She added: “It is of huge comfort to know that Lucy’s suffering was not in vain and Lucy’s Law will be her lasting legacy.” THE case of golden labrador Freddie spells out the cruel fate of puppy farmed dogs – and the heartache for those who buy them.
Donna Cunningham paid a shop £650 for Freddie, who she took home to her delighted children, 10-year-old Ruby and Joel, five.
But he quickly sickened and would not eat. A vet diagnosed the usually fatal infection, parvovirus.
Just five days after taking him home, Donna had the dreadful task of telling her children he had died.
“The pet shop offered me a refund, as if that’s any consolation,” said Donna, from Manchester.
Freddie’s story is just one tragic example of the what can happen when pet shops sell animals supplied by puppy farms.
Around 80,000 puppies are sold by third-party dealers a year and many have physical and behavioural problems associated with cramped, diseased conditions.