RSPCA calls for crackdown after 39 reports of 'puppy trade' in Surrey and Hampshire during lockdown
The charity has issued a warning ahead of Christmas
If you are thinking of buying a puppy for Christmas, you are being urged to check first where it comes from.
A new survey has found more than one in 10 people are planning to buy a puppy this festive season.
But the RSPCA is concerned that a record number of dogs could be imported over the weeks to meet the demand - and there are concerns they could be brought over by illicit breeders, with many arriving here in poor condition.
Welfare experts are warning families to look out for breeders and sellers trying to cash in on the festive rush.
During lockdown (23 March to 31 October) there were 22 reports from Surrey and 17 from Hampshire to RSPCA England about the 'puppy trade' in the two counties.
The charity is calling for tougher regulations to tackle the issue.
RSPCA chief executive Chris Sherwood said:
"Every year we see a spike in online searches and adverts for puppies in the run-up to Christmas and with lockdown continuing to drive up demand for dogs, we expect this year could see more families looking for puppies than ever before.
"While some of these families will take on loving rescue dogs or buy happy, healthy puppies from responsible breeders, we know that many will unknowingly fall victim to illicit and underground puppy breeders and sellers who prioritise profit over the health and welfare of their dogs.
"Some people may unwittingly buy a puppy who has been bred in poor conditions in a cold, dark barn or warehouse without having access to the proper food, veterinary care and early life experiences that are so important for them to grow into happy and healthy dogs.
"Others may well have been born in appalling conditions on puppy farms abroad, taken from their mothers at just a few weeks old and illegally smuggled into the country to be sold on to innocent buyers."
How widespread is the puppy trade?
It comes as the RSPCA revealed it had received 575 reports relating to the puppy trade in England and Wales between 23 March and 31 October, and as officers prepare for more investigations into unscrupulous sellers in the weeks leading up to Christmas, which is usually the busiest time of year for puppy sales.
Earlier this month, the charity was alerted to imported puppies being sold from the back of a van at a motorway service station in Surrey.
Puppy imports have reportedly soared since the start of lockdown as demand for puppies rises.
Government figures show the numbers of licences issued for the commercial import of dogs rose 87 per cent from 14,075 (May to September 2019) to 26,4461 (for the same period this year).
This only accounts for the dogs that are being imported legally.
The RSPCA is calling for tougher enforcement on the import of puppies at the borders and also wants the age puppies can be imported (either commercially or non-commercially) to be increased to 24 weeks in a bid to crackdown on the illicit trade in trafficking dogs in to sell them on to unsuspecting members of the public.
More than 40 per cent of those interested in buying a puppy or dog said they would buy one bred and imported from another country, while 38 per cent said they would buy one that had been smuggled into the country.
But, the charity has said that many dogs who are trafficked into the country to be sold on the underground puppy market have long-term health problems and behavioural issues due to their breeding and early-life experiences.
One puppy's story
One of those puppies who has long-term health problems is Dobby, who was 19 months old when he was taken in by the RSPCA’s Mount Noddy Animal Centre in West Sussex.
The French bulldog was imported from Lithuania as part of the puppy trade before being advertised online.
When he arrived at the RSPCA centre in August 2018, a check of his passport revealed he had been born in the eastern European country before being trafficked into the UK.
The charity said that "unfortunately - but not uncommonly for brachycephalic or flat-faced breeds such as Frenchies" - Dobby was plagued with health problems and had severely laboured breathing for which he needed a major operation costing £3,000 to widen his nostrils and make more space in his airways.
He was underweight, weak and also needed treatment for ear infections and ‘cherry eye’, a painful condition affecting the membrane in a dog’s eye.
Staff had to roll his food into small balls and hand feed him every two hours to slowly build up his strength and one member of staff, Jo Chambers, took Dobby home to foster so she could monitor him around the clock.
They later decided to adopt him.
Jo said:
"Dobby needed a second operation to further assist with his breathing and really struggles in the warm weather when we have to keep a really close eye on him.
"He also has various allergies leading to problems with his skin and ears so is on a low dose of steroids long-term to help manage these conditions.
"Sadly, many of these health problems are a result of the way he’s been bred and he’s likely to have ongoing problems for the rest of his life.
"But we’re committed to giving him the best life we can for as long as we have him."
The RSPCA is supporting Defra’s Petfished campaign encouraging prospective buyers to think about who is behind the pet and urges anyone thinking of getting a pet to adopt instead of shop.
For those who wish to buy a puppy, the RSPCA encourages using The Puppy Contract to help find a happy, healthy dog.
This winter, the RSPCA expects to rescue thousands of animals from neglect, cruelty and suffering.
Donations can be made as part of the charity's Join the Christmas Rescue campaign online.