At just five months old, my beautiful puppy Moose died from a severe hereditary condition that should never have been passed on. Losing him has been devastating beyond words, but what followed was even harder. I have been left to manage the grief, the investigations, and the financial and emotional fallout entirely on my own. Despite clear evidence of genetic disease, the breeder has taken no responsibility, offered no support, and has been able to walk away without consequence. Moose deserved better, and no family should ever have to go through this alone.

I am calling for Moose’s Law: a statutory framework requiring mandatory genetic testing for all dogs used for breeding, and establishing a clear legal duty for breeders to provide transparency, cooperation, and post‑sale support when hereditary or congenital disease is identified.

Moose’s Law is needed because there is currently no legal requirement for breeders to carry out genetic testing before producing litters, even when serious hereditary diseases are known to exist in their lines. This gap leaves puppies at risk, buyers unprotected, and irresponsible breeders free to continue operating without consequence. Moose’s death exposed how easily breeders can avoid accountability: no authority was able to intervene, no support was offered, and the breeder faced no repercussions. Families are left to manage grief, financial loss, and complex investigations entirely on their own. Moose’s Law would close these gaps by ensuring that breeders test, disclose, and take responsibility — preventing avoidable suffering and protecting both animals and the people who love them.

Current legislation does not adequately regulate hereditary health risks in dog breeding. While the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and the Licensing of Activities Involving Animals Regulations 2018 set welfare standards, there is no legal requirement for breeders to conduct genetic testing, nor any enforceable obligation to disclose hereditary risk or support buyers when preventable conditions occur. This allows hereditary diseases to be passed on, causes avoidable suffering, and leaves buyers without meaningful recourse.

Moose’s Law would introduce the following measures:

• Mandatory genetic testing for all breeding dogs, using accredited laboratories.

• Mandatory disclosure of all test results to prospective buyers before sale.

• A statutory duty of care requiring breeders to engage with buyers, provide documentation, and cooperate with vets and authorities when hereditary disease is diagnosed.

• A mechanism for redress, including refunds or contributions to veterinary costs where hereditary or congenital conditions are confirmed.

• Strengthened licensing criteria, ensuring that anyone breeding and selling dogs for profit must be licensed and subject to inspection.

• Clear enforcement powers for local authorities and Trading Standards to investigate non‑compliance and impose penalties.

These measures would align breeding practices with modern veterinary standards, reduce preventable disease, protect responsible breeders, and give buyers the transparency and protection they deserve. I urge the Government to adopt Moose’s Law to improve canine welfare, strengthen consumer protection, and close the regulatory gaps that allow preventable hereditary suffering to continue.