Who Was Lucy?
Lucy was a rescue Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who suffered years of horrific abuse as a breeding machine in a Welsh puppy farm. Her hips were fused, she had a curved spine, and she lived in cramped, dark conditions. Her story sparked a massive campaign.
The Ban on Third-Party Sales
Enacted in England in 2020 (and adopted elsewhere in the UK), Lucy's Law completely bans the sale of puppies and kittens by third-party sellers (like pet shops and commercial dealers). Anyone looking to buy or adopt a puppy under 6 months old must deal directly with the breeder or an animal rescue centre.
How to Spot a Fake Breeder
Unscrupulous dealers still exist. If the breeder refuses to show you the puppy interacting with its mother in their home environment, or offers to "meet you halfway at a service station", walk away and report them to the RSPCA or local council.