Worries about illegal puppy imports on Yorkshire Coast
The RSPCA are worried about a "perfect storm" of illegal puppy imports on the Yorkshire Coast.
The RSPCA are worried about a "perfect storm" of illegal puppy imports on the Yorkshire Coast.
The animal welfare charity say there's been a big rise in the UK in people wanting a dog during lockdown, and they think criminals may exploit it
There were eight reports about the puppy trade in North Yorkshire during the first wave of Covid-19.
Amy Ockelford is from the charity and said:
"Every year in the run up to Christmas, there's a spike in people looking to bring a puppy home and we know unfortunately that there are a lot of unscrupulous breeders and dealers out there. What's really concerning this year is that there's been unprecedented interest in adopting and buying dogs, so we're really concerned that there's going to be a bit of a 'perfect storm'.
"A lot more people are at home, they've got a lot more time on their hands and they finally feel like they're ready to welcome a dog into their families. Because a lot of reputable breeders and a lot of rescue centres have been impacted by lockdown, that has left a bit of a gap in the market for these breeders and sellers who aren't prioritising the health and welfare of their dogs.
"Firstly, we would encourage anybody who's thinking about getting any pet to make sure that they do their research. Sit down as a family and make sure that you really can commit to the pet. Secondly, we would always encourage people to consider adopting instead of shopping. Rescue centres are now able to rehome."