Leading animal welfare charity Battersea Dogs & Cats Home has strongly welcomed today’s proposed Government ban on third party puppy and kitten sales in England.

Today’s announcement could prevent thousands of animals from being born into squalid conditions and split from their mothers too young, in order to line the pockets of unscrupulous breeders.

Furthermore, Defra’s consultation into a ban on third party sales could stop such breeders and sellers from operating by making the commercial sale of puppies and kittens less than six months old illegal.

RSPCA deputy chief executive Chris Wainwright said: “We’re delighted that the UK Government has committed to a programme of reforms to animal welfare law, including this announcement on how to bring in the ban on third-party sales of puppies and kittens in England.

“Our work to tackle the puppy trade means we’ve seen first-hand the devastating impact that unscrupulous breeders and third-party dealers can have on dogs and people. It’s disgusting that these sellers can make so much money from the misery of animals and prospective owners.

Here's the latest news from Surf Dog Ricochet, who will be featuring in our August episode:

Tracheostomies and breathing tubes don’t stop these kids!