April 2021
Richard’s Regrets
Thinking about buying a puppy? Buying a puppy is such a responsibility, it is more than taking them for walks and cleaning up their mess. Before purchasing your new furry friend, you need to make sure you are buying from a reputable breeder, making sure you ask all the right questions.
When buying a puppy there is so much you need to know. Have you done all the correct checks? I know this couple who thought they had done everything the way they should have, before buying their puppy, Reggie. Little did they know Reggie was imported, he came from a puppy farm, they did not purchase him from a reputable seller like the advert had said. Richard thought he had found the perfect puppy on what he thought was a reputable online selling site. He thought he had fully researched everything he needs to know before buying the puppy.
Richard bought little Reggie a Fox Red Labrador puppy in December 2020 as a surprise for his partner and son. They were not expecting the heart-break and pain they endured shortly after. Richard contacted the seller by using the contact details on the website, all questions Richard asked were answered and a visit was arranged. The address that was given was 6 miles away from the address on the advert. After spending time with the seller and the puppy’s Richard couldn’t leave little Reggie after the attention they were both giving each other. When Richard asked to see the mum the seller stated that he had just moved and the mum would have been upset with the separation, he brought the puppies alone.
Everyone loved Reggie from the minute he got through the door, little Reggie loved his new family just as much. After only 3 hours, Reggie fell ill with diarrhoea. You can imagine the fear the family were all feeling. Reggie had deteriorated through the night. The following morning he was suffering with both diarrhoea and vomiting which became progressively worse.
Alicia rang the vets and described Reggie’s condition. The Vet asked for Reggie to be rushed straight in, so they could start treatment and investigating. While Reggie was at the vets he was tested for Parvovirus which came back positive. The Vet put Reggie straight onto an IV drip and had to insert a gastric tube as he wouldn’t keep anything down.
You can imagine the heartache the family were going through. Parvovirus is contagious with deadly consequences. The virus is highly contagious and transmits through direct contact with an infected dog. Puppies are exposed to this every time they sniff, lick or consume infected faeces. Parvovirus attacks the small intestine and stomach. It has been known to effect bone marrow and also the heart.
14 hours of having a new puppy, and the family have this mountain to climb to save their new family member, Reggie. It was an emotional rollercoaster, the vets were in constant contact. Reggie was having everything possible to help get him through this. At one stage Richard and Alicia were told Reggie had a 20% chance of surviving. On day three the Vets called and asked Richard and Alicia to come and see little Reggie, they were both told the only thing they can do is a blood transfusion but as Reggie had no white blood cells the Vet advised them against the transfusion. Alicia said on seeing Reggie “he’s alive but looks dead”. Alicia is a nurse and never felt so helpless in her life, the beautiful baby she has wanted for 7 years and she couldn’t do anything to save him. The guilt she felt was unbearable. Sadly, after a couple of days fighting, Richard and Alicia had to make the hardest choice ever. They couldn’t keep putting little Reggie through all the vet procedures causing pain and discomfort, they made the hardest decision they ever could, to have little Reggie put to sleep.
Richard phoned the seller while at the Vets to let him know about little Reggie, the seller said he would meet him but never turned up. The seller was never heard from again blocking all contact from Richard. Richard and Alicia informed local authorities. The authorities informed them both, “it is a regular occurrence with Irish gang’s moving nationwide going from house to house doing it with no care or consideration for the pups”.
Alicia shared her frustration on a Facebook post about the tragic loss of Reggie. It was on December 24th 2020 that Justice For Reggie was set up. Since the campaign started it had only three volunteers, Alicia, Richard and Ann, with only a few local people acknowledging the posts. Three people who are dedicated to making sure Reggie’s pain and suffering was not in vain and making a lasting promise to Reggie to fight for changes in his name. Richard and Alicia still had no idea about Puppy Farming, the family wanted to get word out to little Reggie’s sibling’s so their families didn’t end with the heart ache they did.
The first red flag was the area in which Richard was to view the puppies, they advertised one place but were at a different place on arranging the visit. The second red flag was how sparse the breeder’s home was. Richard didn’t have it in him to walk away. The first look at Reggie and he had puppy eyes. While viewing Reggie there was another tiny puppy in the home, he looked lethargic. When Richard mentioned the puppy, the breeder shrugged it off with a laugh and said “he’s boring that one, you don’t want him”. This was the third red flag that was missed. When purchasing Reggie the advert stated he was chipped, vaccinated, wormed and flead. This was all lies from the seller. The paper work that was received, all fake and the microchip information was for a different chip number, that was not Reggie’s.
Therefore The Justice For Reggie Campaign was launched on Facebook. The followers started to build and the family were really humbled by the support from all followers, with messages coming in to help and volunteer. The help was amazing they had researchers, web designers and people who brought various skills to the Campaign. Alicia, Richard and Ann set up the Campaign to spread awareness of the illegal puppy trade, including puppy farming and to educate people on how these people lie. In this short time the Campaign has gone from strength to strength. We now have support from MP’s in England, Wales and Ireland. With regular meetings with various Local Authorities, Charities, Police Commissioners and the Selling Web Sites. We have worked closely with the RSPCA when followers have contacted with their stories. People have messaged their own stories of their heart break, similar to Reggie’s story. They are helping as a collective voice to seek urgent changes to the laws on the illegal trade in puppies.
Our aim is to change current legislation around animal sales; minimum pet age of 6 months before importation into England, Higher penalties for puppy farming and all breeders to be licensed with regular inspections
Reggie was shown so much unconditional love and attention for the 3 days he was in Alicia and Richard’s family, more so than he had been shown in his 12 weeks of his life with the illegal sellers. The emotional hurt that it brings, knowing the suffering Reggie went through in his very short 12 weeks of life with the illegal seller will live with his family forever. Therefor it was decided to make a change and introduce the Justice for Reggie campaign. Unfortunately Reggie is only one out of thousands that has fallen victim to these criminals, with the support from MP’s, local councils and with the education of the public we hope to make a change and Reggie will carry a legacy known as Reggie’s Law.
Although Lucy’s Law is legislation not everyone is aware of the checks needed prior to purchasing a new puppy, therefor we urge you to always follow guidance and checklists provided by current selling sites, if a box is not ticked then walk away, although this can be hard. We urge you to report the breeder to your local authority, RSPCA and Animal protection services who will do their upmost to protect the welfare of these animals.