People turning to puppy farming just to get by

The RSPCA say people are turning to puppy farming just to get by.

It comes as calls across County Durham about the trade is up 500% in the last year alone.

Chief Inspector Mark Gent from the charity's Durham branch said: "I think a lot of it is to do with the fact the economic climate that everyone finds themselves in at the moment, people are turning to the puppy trade to try and boost their finances up.

"Obviously a lot of the people that are doing this are not considering the welfare aspects involved in looking after these animals."

The charity are warning animal lovers not to be tricked into buying from a puppy farm.

The RSPCA, Durham Police and Durham County Council are now joining forces to tackle unlicensed puppy traders.

Sick and dying puppies, poor housing conditions and paperwork which is either non-existent or fake are amongst a raft of complaints received by the agencies from concerned members of the public in the county.

Last year the RSPCA received 157 calls from people in County Durham raising concerns about the puppy trade - compared to just 29 in 2010.

Police have also warned that behind the facade of a respectable seller is sometimes a web of organised crime.

Mark said: “Many of these puppies are bred in large breeding barns in poor conditions and sold in bulk to dealers.

"They can come from countries such as Eire, Hungary, Poland and Lithuania.

"They are sold on quickly to unsuspecting buyers paying upwards of £500 per pup. They often come with no documentation or forged, incomplete or inadequate papers."

If you are thinking about buying a puppy the agencies have a list of 5 do's and don’t's to consider:

DO:

• Do ask to see a pedigree/breed certificate or Kennel Club registration and look at it carefully.

• Do ask for the vaccination certificate - all puppies over 8 weeks should have had at least one vaccination. Check the date and place of birth.

• Do check veterinary documents if the puppy has a docked tail - all puppies with docked tails should carry a relevant certificate. Contact the vet on the documents if you are worried.

• Do check the puppy is microchipped - from 2016 all breeders will be required by law to ensure all puppies they are selling are microchipped. A sticker with a chip number should be provided.

• Do ask to see the breeder’s license

DON'T

• Don’t be afraid to walk away if any of the paperwork is absent, looks fake or indicates the puppy has come from outside the UK. - Don’t take a child with you to buy a puppy.

• Don’t hand over your address or personal details to anyone in advance of checking out the puppy’s documentation.

• Don’t leave with the puppy but not the paperwork.

• Don’t think a high price is a guarantee of good breeding practices or animal welfare.

Even if you are happy all is well, the agencies advise a puppy vet check within 72 hours of purchase, regardless of how the puppy appears.

• RSPCA