After a petition to regulate online animal sales reached 106,000 signatures in 12 weeks, campaigner Richard Ackers decided to walk 232 miles from his home in Wigan to 10 Downing Street to raise money for two Welsh rescue centres.
The money will go towards Hope Rescue in Llanharan, Almost Home in Mold and the Animal Protection Service, a UK-based charity.
Richard’s mission in the ‘Justice for Reggie’ campaign is to raise awareness of ‘dogfishing’ after a 12-week-old puppy he bought for his partner last year died two days after being brought home.
Read more: Stray dog who was almost put to sleep will now represent Wales at Crufts 2022
Now, Richard, a 32-year-old trainee pilot, will walk to Downing Street a year on from Reggie's passing to hand deliver the petition.
Sharing an update on Twitter, Richard posted photos of severe blisters on his heel and ball of his feet after 165 miles.
He said: “I’ve literally put my body and mental capacity to the limit over the last four days.
“I’ve walked 165 miles, suffering to the max but nothing comes close to what Reggie and others have felt and we will change the law.”
Hope Rescue replied saying: “You have done amazingly well but you cannot continue with your feet like this.
“You need to rest up so you are well for Tuesday.
“Reggie would have been so proud of what you have achieved and so are we. Now rest.”
It is currently unclear whether Richard will continue his walk, but he was forced to seek help from the urgent care unit in Milton Keynes as his feet had been skinned and infected as a result.
Last year, Richard was led to believe he was buying the Labrador from St Helens in Merseyside, but it emerged that Reggie likely came from an illegal puppy farm.
The puppy became sick 12 hours after arriving and died of parvovirus, a highly infectious disease that could have been caught during transportation.
With over 100,000 signatures on the petition, parliament will debate the petition on December 13 and Richard is hoping it is taken seriously.
The campaign hopes to see a change in the way sellers verify themselves online and if a law comes into practice it could see potential dog sellers have to show proof of address and photo ID before their ad goes live.
As well as this it would ask for photo or video evidence of the young pups suckling on their mother in hope to get rid of fake mums being used.
You can support and sign the petition here .
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