Pets to be sold only to those aged 16 or over

The sale of pets to children and young people under the age of 16 is to be prohibited in the UK in the draft Animal Welfare Bill set out by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The Bill will modernise over 20 pieces of legislation dating from 1911. Among other items contained in the draft are proposals to ban the docking of dogs’ tails and also to prevent goldfish and other animals being handed out as prizes at funfairs.