The Government on Monday unveils its long-awaited Animal Welfare Strategy which sets out a raft of policies to improve the lives of pets and animals on farms and in the wild

Cruel puppy farming where breeding dogs are kept in appalling conditions, often overbred and denied proper care will be banned under a major package to protect animals.

The Government on Monday unveils its long-awaited Animal Welfare Strategy which sets out a raft of policies to improve the lives of pets and animals on farms and in the wild.

It marks a victory for The Mirror ’s long-running campaign to end the horrors of cruel puppy farms.

Other plans in the strategy include looking into ending the use of electric shock collars for pets, clamping down on dog attacks on farm animals and banning hens being caged. Trail hunting and snares will also be banned under the strategy, as revealed by The Mirror over the weekend.

Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said the UK was “a nation of animal lovers” and described the package as “the most ambitious animal welfare strategy in a generation”.

Under plans for pets, ministers will reform dog breeding practices to improve health and welfare, including an end to puppy farming, which sees dogs often overbred and denied proper care. It builds on an already announced crackdown on puppy smuggling.

The Mirror has long campaigned on the issue, including leading the crusade for Lucy’s Law, which came into force in 2020. The legislation made it illegal for commercial dealers to sell puppies and kittens unless they have bred the animals themselves. Lucy, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who died in 2016, inspired Lucy’s Law after spending five years in a dark, filthy barn where she was used to breed puppies for sale.

The Government’s new strategy will also look at introducing new licences for domestic rescue and rehoming organisations to ensure they have the right checks in place.

Ministers are also planning a public safety campaign promoting responsible dog ownership. Over the last few years there has been growing concern about XL bully-type dogs, a group of breeds which have been banned after they were linked to several fatal attacks.

The ban, which began at the end of 2023 following a Mirror campaign, forced XL bully owners to register their dog for an exemption certificate and to muzzle them in public places. The new law also made it illegal to breed, sell, advertise or give away an XL bully.

For farm animals, the new strategy includes a vow to move away from confinement systems such as colony cages for laying hens, introduce humane slaughter requirements for farmed fish and promote use of slow growing meat chicken breeds.

Ministers also pledged to shift away from pig farrowing crates – metal-barred cages designed to confine mother pigs before and after they give birth – and to address welfare issues arising from the use of carbon dioxide to stun pigs.

It comes after a new Live Stock Worrying law was passed last week to protect farm animals from dog attacks through tougher penalties and greater police powers.

For wild animals, the strategy includes a ban on trail hunting amid growing concerns it is being used as a smokescreen for hunting and a vow to end the use of snare traps that catch running animals by the neck with a wire noose.

A close season for hares will also be introduced with the aim to reduce the number of adult hares being shot in breeding season to prevent young hares being left motherless and vulnerable to starvation and predators.

Proposals in the strategy will be delivered by the end of 2030. Labour ’s manifesto vowed to ban trail hunting, puppy smuggling and farming and the use of snare traps.

Ms Reynolds said: “We’re a nation of animal lovers. This government is delivering the most ambitious animal welfare strategy in a generation. Visiting Battersea Dogs and Cats Home reminded me that millions of families welcome pets into their homes every year. Our strategy will raise welfare standards for animals in the home, on the farm and in the wild.

“We’ve already acted to improve zoo standards, end puppy smuggling and protect livestock from dog attacks. Now, we’re planning to ban caged hens, cruel snares, trail hunting, and curb low welfare dog breeding.”

Thomas Schultz-Jagow, Director of Advocacy and Prevention at RSPCA, said: “The government’s new Animal Welfare Strategy is a significant step forward which has the potential to improve the lives of millions of animals.

“People in the UK love animals and they want to see governments leading the way to outlaw cruel practices which cause suffering such as a phase out of cages for laying hens and farrowing crates for pigs.

“As we need a radical rethink about the way we see and treat animals in this country, this strategy leads the way by showing a strong commitment to animal welfare. We look forward to continuing to work with the government to give all animals the protection they deserve.”