Wigan man treks 232 miles to Downing Street to hand deliver petition on regulating online animal sales

A Wigan man walked a massive 232 miles to Downing Street to hand deliver a petition appealing to change the law surrounding online animal sales.

Richard Ackers, from Abram, took it upon himself to bring the issue of unregulated online animal sales to parliament following the death of his Fox Red Labrador puppy Reggie. 

While Richard had bought the puppy ‘in good faith’, he was unaware that it had actually been bred in an illegal puppy farm. The animal died just days after the purchase by what was later confirmed as Canine Parvovirus, a disease with a high mortality rate in unvaccinated pups.

Reggie’s death triggered the launch of the campaign Justice For Reggie, which has since won backing from MP’s, the Home Office, celebrities and rescue organisations such as the RSPCA, along with help from volunteers across England and Wales.

The proposed law, known as Reggie’s Law, has gained over 106,000 signatures in just over twelve weeks.

But Richard decided to take things one step further; last week, he took it upon himself to bring the campaign to parliament himself by walking the 232 miles from him home directly to the doorstep at Number 10. 

He set off on his journey last Wednesday, December 1st, and reached Downing Street yesterday at around 1:30pm – the issue will now be debated in parliament on December 13th.

@justiceforreggie20 / Instagram

With his trek, Richard has also been raising money from the challenge for Hope Rescue, and will take collection for Almost Home Dog Rescue.

He said on his achievement: “I am totally blown away with the amount of support I’ve received so far in such a short space of time, if I can get the laws around animal sales looked at and strengthened then I will have achieved my one true goal of getting justice for Reggie.”

Reggie’s Law will be debated in parliament on December 13th. For more information and to donate to Richard’s chosen charities, visit the JustGiving page.