Richard spoke in a Westminster Hall debate on licensing animal rescue and rehoming centres.
Speaking after the debate, Richard said:
"I spoke in Parliament during the debate on licensing animal rescue and rehoming centres – a debate that took place because more than 100,000 people signed the public petition calling for change across the UK - 2,600 of them from Basildon and Billericay
The strength and seriousness of contributions from across the House showed just how widely this issue is felt. MPs spoke about real cases in their communities, the gaps in the current system, and the need to protect both animals and the reputable rescues that do such vital work.
For me, this issue remains rooted in what happened at Crays Hill and the appalling discovery of dozens of dogs who had died at a site presenting itself as a rescue centre. That tragedy exposed a simple but dangerous reality: in England, anyone can currently operate as a “rescue” with little oversight and no consistent standards.
That is why I brought forward my Private Member’s Bill to introduce licensing for animal shelters and rehoming centres, and why I have continued to push for proper regulation and why I backed Niki Roe and Paul Watkinson and worked with the big national chairities too to push for change too.
The Government has committed to consulting on licensing. That is a start, but today’s debate made clear that there is strong public and parliamentary expectation that this now leads to action.
Thank you to everyone who signed the petition and kept campaigning. Your voices are the reason this issue was debated in Parliament, and I will keep working to make sure it delivers real change.
PS. There is still a sentencing of the man who plead guilty to animal cruelty offences, this will happen next week
PPS. Also, we are clearly still waiting for Basildon Borough Council’s review of what happened in the run up. I will be certain to share this and my opinions of it when it is produced."
