As we go into the new year we can look back over the past year to see what if anything has changed with puppy farming in the UK...
Sadly we can tell you it is not any better at all in fact maybe worse as more and more breeders and dealers jump on the bandwagon to try and make an easy living. People are allowed to apply for a pet shop license from private dwellings and it seems he LA's are only too happy to grant a license to anyone no matter how unsuitable premises maybe . So now we have the puppy farms not only trying to keep up the supply for the large pet shops but also numerous private houses across the land.
Just recently Puppy Love http://www.dogs-r-us.org/ went Undercover with a Welsh TV company to help make a documentary about licensed breeding establishments in Wales. What we discovered was no surprise to us at all, dogs ill and needing veterinary care, no water available , little food, no bedding even for new born pups, overcrowding, filthy disgusting conditions. The premises were all operating quite legally with little regard for the animal welfare act.
So where do we go from here ? we are bringing the issue to the publics attention as much as we can with little or no help from media or newspapers, they just do not want to know the same can be said of many politicians etc .
Will 2009 be any happier for these dogs who have suffered for decades and continue to suffer daily at the hands of greedy despicable people who will do anything for money ? Will the LA's clamp down and make sure the animal welfare act is adhered to ?
Its very, very doubtful, it would seem the dogs are destined to suffer indefinitely because most people don't care enough to stand up and be counted. Oh yes they mutter how cruel it is and and then go back to burying their heads in the sand .
Pet shops need to be banned from selling pups, newspapers need to stop advertising pups for sale and intenet sites who do the same should be wiped off the web, drastic yes but only when its not so easy for the general public to buy a puppy will any change happen. In this easy come easy go world its the dogs that suffer every time, owning a dog is a privilege, they should be treated with respect and kindness , loved and cherished ......maybe someday ?
So if you are a dog lover do something in the new year to help even if its just writing to your MP or the Welsh Assembly to voice your concerns , Ask the RSPCA what they are doing to help too, evil men only prosper when good men do nothing.
We wish you a happy and healthy new year, we just pray we could wave a magic wand and make the new year happy and healthy for all the dog in puppy farms throughout the land .
I have two dogs and brought bella my first ever dog from some kennels in essex (rayleigh) they said the dogs had come from wales and the breeder was a 'friend' of there's and i believed them and why shouldn't of i well they told me she was a pure bred short haired border collie lie!! she is so not a pure bred you could not tell when she was that young (10 weeks) but she is now 18 months old and we are pretty sure she is a whippetxshort haired border collie i don't care what she is i love her loads!! but she started to show the normal signs of being on a puppy farm she was very timid and she had lots of behaviour problems she would bark at most people she would meet she hated people in hats even more she was timid towards people she was timid towards other dogs but i helped her through this and she now doesn't mind people although she still hates people wearing hats but loves playing with other dogs now i do have prove of that they told me she was a pure bred collie they gave me the address for the breeder in wales i can't find it anywhere!! when i went to go and buy holly my tri border collie (who is now 6 months old) i saw her doggie mummy and daddy and the rest of her family i learnt from my mistake don't get me wrong i could never be without bella and like i said i love her loads and she is mine forever!! :) oh i also forgot to say bella used to hide if you ever raised your hand she has stopped this now but she hates people shouting or screaming so i am sure she was on a puppy farm we must stop PUPPY FARMING!!!!!! oh also bella just loves my 1 year old nephew espically when he throw's her ball which by the way if you throw her ball for her all day (which by the way she could and has done) you will make a friend for life :) going on abit now sorry can't help but talk about my dogs could go all day anyway i will shut up now
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7800901.stm I hope this item featured on BBC Breakfast News today will at least generate awareness - please send comment emails to the BBC in support.
perhaps we can concentrate on getting a certain Posh Knightsbridge store to stop selling designer Puppies at around £1000 a go, no sign of the mother, so who's to say she isn't in some crate on her next litter ready to keep the shelves well stocked once some WAG has walked out with one of the offspring!! This particular shop sells Fur quite brazenly, hence appealing to its humane side would be pretty pointless, we simply need to get puppy farming banned / that and selling puppies in this manner!
I've got an idea to raise awareness of this problem; If we all made leaflets and handed them out to friends, family, schools, clubs or anywhere else we could put them, people would have to raise awareness. We could also make small clubs and discuss and hold events to grab people's attention. Making up stories, plays or posting a comment on your website could also grab their attention.....
I have not posted on the subject of puppy farming since Jul and I am very disappointed to find that it looks to me as though the RSPCA still have done nothing to help these poor dogs.
Could someone from the RSPCA please show any evidence of their work? Have there been any inspections or prosecutions?
People who run puppy farms should be put in jail and worse punishments. The puppies are completely innocent and don't deserve this kind of treatment. If we raised the issue to the public, people would start taking action. If we started clubs with friends about this issue, or handed out leaflets to our local town and community, or posted comments on message boards in our towns, it would hopefully grab people's attention. Is there anything we can do, RSPCA?
Joanie and others - everyone keeps praising the getting of a dog from a rehoming centre and criticising getting one from a breeder - you all miss the point that the dogs in rehoming centres are the problem not those bred by responsible breeders. It is the dogs in the rehoming centre who are the end result of bad owners or puppy farmers. The owners who allow their dogs to wander about and mate and produce puppies for which they have no people waiting with homes; puppy farmers because they just churn out puppy after puppy after puppy - badly reared and with behaviour problems before they start their life. Responsible breeders have their dogs and their breeds best interests at heart; have people waiting to buy their puppies; take their puppies back if it doesn't all work out for them. Why should I be made to feel guilty that I want to buy a puppy with known parentage (know about health issues and temperament and rearing) - after all, I expect them to be bomb proof around my grandchildren so am not going to risk my dogs or my grandchildren by getting a dog whose temperament I cannot be sure of. I know that rehoming centres are needed because people are rubbish at caring for anything properly, but they are not the only acceptable source of a pet dog! and in some situations are a bad source as they can have serious issues that don't surface immediately.
For you information there is a docuementary tonight on sky channel 134 at 9 pm some of the programme is in Welsh but there are subtitles. The second part is on Tuesday - although this is great it will have limited viewers but we do know it has caused action in Wales with the Puppy Farmers and Councils rushing about trying to clean up their act. http://www.s4c.co.uk/bydarbedwar/e_index.shtml
Why is puppy trafficking still going on? 21 years ago i brought my first dog. The advice we were given was never buy a puppy unless you can see the mother. This still holds true today. Don't hand over your money unless you can this common sense approach will stop the cruel action of puppy trafficking. Why hand over money to an uncaring mercinary organisation or individual, when there are many dogs looking for a good home from R.S.P.C.A. homing centres. We have gone on to rehome 5 retured greyhounds ( the lovelyest dogs on the planet). Our money is given to a good cause not to line somebody elses pocket.
I think that the best way to get our point across is to start in a small way..... so does anyone have any ideas of how we can raise this issue in our communities?
I think that puppy trafficing is a cruel and nasty way to make money. These people have no right to treat these puppies the way they do! The conditions they keep them in are just as horrendous as the people themselves! I totally agree with genie and lottiebottie007. These people really do deserve jail and other things!
Something needs to be done here - we can't just sit here and watch time go by. We need to stop talking about it and take action so people know we're serious about tackling this problem once and for all!
The puppies do not deserve this kind of treatment and the people running the farms deserve every punishment - thank you to Genie and lottiebottie007 as well as everybody else on give animals a voice for all the help we're doing for the innocent animals - they don't deserve this kind of treatment and puppy trafficking should be put to a stop altogether!
I agree with animallover7 and Genie, the people that do this should get whats coming to them, and worse. I would throw these people away in jail, lock them up forever. People that do this should feel how these puppies feel, and feel what its like being cramped up in a dark cage with faeces all around you.
I agree with Genie - the people running puppy farms need to get their just desserts - the dogs don't deserve this kind if treatment and the owners should be in the dog's shoes - how do they feel when they're in cramped conditions, not getting any food or exercise at all - if the people can feel what this is like for the dogs, they would surely stop, right?
I HATE puppy farms - I don't have a dog, but my friend has a dog and I would never want anything bad to happen to the dog at all - my friend adores her and it would be horrid for something to happen. The RSPCA should get rid of all puppy farms.
I sooooooo agree with Fionaufo,Sheila,Mags and Kitty. We need to know what the RSPCA's views on this are and what actions are being taken to stop this!!! ANSWER PEOPLE!!!
I have a staffy of my own called Copper and He's my angel. I couldn't bear for anything evil 2 happen to him. It makes me sik wen i think that dogs are being treated so cruelly in those dog farms. They don't deserve it.
How would people like it if we treated them as cruelly as they treat animals? I think these people need their just desserts!
Firstly thanks to Sheila, Mags and Kitty for adding your comments unfortunately we still have had no comment from a representative of the RSPCA. This is very disappointing and unacceptable. I would appreciate acknowledgement of my request for information on what the RSPCA action/policy is relating to Puppy Farming. I look forward to finding out what actually is being done or how I can help.
i have 2 dogs who are my pride and joy. i cant believe there are puppy farms i am new to this blogging its a awful mess those tiny pupps my heart goes out to them what are the pspca doing about this more info please. i pay by direct debit to save the animals so do it please please rspca.
i think this is a big issue for animal lovers. puppy farming needs to be sorted out. its horrible conditions and no sweet puppy deserves that. its not a job. its horrible they need to be sorted out. but what is the RSPCA doing about this!
Come on RSPCA - you make comments on this site, respond to Fionaufo -, what steps are you taking? Or, are you too involved in giving the KC a bad press to deal with a major issue like this?
I would like to know what action the RSPCA is taking to stop puppy farming. I would also like to know what legislation and or monitoring is done to ensure that dogs are not exposed to inhumane act of cruelty for financial gain. Furthermore how do I get involved in helping to stop this dreadful trade.
I know that everyone is anti the KC at the moment but a good way of stopping this is for all pedigree dogs to have to be registered with the KC, for all dogs to have to be DNA tested (to prove sire/dam) and for a limit to the number of puppies born to a certain bitch to be registered. This is partly what is being brought in with a KC scheme - this scheme means that bitches who are too young or too old cannot have pups registered, it limits the number of puppies/litters. If these people cannot register the pups and therefore cannot sell them as pedigree and therefore at a high price they'll go away and find another way to make money.
I have 2 rescued ex breeding bitches, they were both terrified and shook for days, one was severely malnourished had cataracts and a heart murmur but still they bred from her. They were both matted to the skin, crawling with flees and it took 5 baths to get rid of the smell. They are much better now, it cost me £2,000 for a cataract operation but it was worth it as she is a very different dog but I dont think that the fear will ever leave them. I have just learnt that a place not too far away from me is a puppy farm last year 22 litters of puppies were produced and its the daughter of a local councillor. I guess this is how they get away with it. It sickens me that they seem to legislate themselves.
I think part of the problem is people going to puppy 'farms' at first unaware and then feeling the need to 'rescue' a puppy from there by purchessing them but this just keeps this cruel and unjust business going. If these people cant sell the dogs then they cant keep doing it.
I think this trade is cruel and awful!I feel like going up to those people and telling them how many lifes they have lost. I think there is no way to stop this but we can help it by not buying dogs from pet shops! Just don't do it!
I work with animals and now one of my very loved pets was a puppy trafficing victim. She was bought by a local pet store to be sold at 4 weeks of age. Even though she had a "shot record" she was too young for vaccines to work and she ended up with PARVO. I worked at the hospital that she was brought to and did my job while becoming very attached to my little one. In my state it is against the law to sell a PARVO positive animal.The pet store was going to sell her to another pet store to make a profit. I rescued her before the exchange could take place. Lesson for any one is if you get a pet from a store it probably has an illness of some sort.DONT BUY FROM A PET STORE.
This is D's story. After researching many breeders I decided on one. At the time he was the president of that breed's breed club in Canada. I assumed I was safe. At 13 months D had been shipped back from a former buyer in the east and was now up for grabs. Everything I had been looking for at 115 lbs he was the epitomy of the breeds standard. His age was a factor although as I had hoped to get a puppy. I paid the "president $1600.00 Canadian and brought D into my home. Within 6 months D suffered his first, of many Grand Mal Epileptic seizures and was placed on medication for life. I contacted the breeder who told me it was environmental at first, then something I had fed him, and eventually accused me of hitting him on the head causing brain trauma! In time this "breeder" stopped returning my calls and left me helpless and hopeless with a very sick dog. The story didnt end there. After carefully researching and asking questions of other breeders I found out D's epilepsy was known to the president of the breed club and that also D had huge people/animal aggression. This all played out in my home, mind you he was never once aggressive towards myself or my 2 daughters (Thank God ehe?) he would target anyone who entered the home. All this known to the man who took my money and sent me on my way. The woman who initially purchaxsed him planned on studding him but after he attacked her husband and turned on her he was sent back to the man who bred him originally. His pedigree and documents all forged. D is now at peace, he died due to a massive tumour brought on by the medication that was prescribed to help his seizures. I had him a short 4 years and he taught me everything about unconditional love, strength and patience. In his memory I now crusade against these backyard, cash grab so called breeders. Every week I receive emails from others who now suffer the cruel agony of a dog having epilepsy. I honestly dont know what to tell them but love your dog as intensely as you possibly can, knowing that dog will become yet another sad statistic - breeders still breed & puppies still die. T.L.C.
The big problem now seems to be the people who have jumped on the bandwagon and are breeding cross-breeds, e.g. labradoodle, cockapoo, etc. and are charging the gullible public hundreds of pounds for the privilege of owning a mongrel - you cannot know what it will inherit from which parent - e.g. the labradoodle may moult like the labrador in it's breeding. If you want a dog that you know will not moult (allergies!) then just buy a poodle! What ever you think of the KC you can go to their web-site and see accredited breeders and registered puppies THEN if you have problems you have somewhere to go to complain and to raise issues about that breeder. AND, many reputable breeders of pedigree dogs will take back the puppies (and dogs) that they have bred if their new owner has problems. BUT, then of course, as most of you on these sites now seem to prefer to buy from puppy farmers or from the irresposnible owner who just lets their dog mate with anything THAN from a reputable breeder thanks to Pedigree Dogs Exposed I suppose this problem is now set to get much, much worse as these people will move in to fill the gap!!!!!!
I have had my dog since I was six years old and I still have her. I cannot IMAGINE life without her. How can anyone do such a thing to a poor little dog? Only a sick, sick person would do that to make money.
There are a few choice words that I would use to aptly describe puppy traffickers, but I don't think they are suitable for public viewing...It seems that no animal is safe in this world from people who are utterly desperate to make money and will do anything to get as much of it as they can, regardless of the animals that they are expoliting in the process. God help us if these people are allowed to carry on this shameful trade.
hola soy de México quisiera ayudar de algun modo aca en Latinoamérica espero poder contactarme con alguien que hable en español se muy poco ingles ok saludos my msn is carlos.aguirre@hotmail.co.uk saludos y espero que pronto me puedan responder
rspca under 8teenz September 13, 2008 at 4:50 p.m.
I have read puppyloves article but the only thing is How do we stop that???.I can only think to petition so that public can see what puppy trafficking really is because some people are unaware of this issue.
I would just like to add , if that were you or I treating dogs in this way we would be prosecuted but because these farms hold a license they are allowed to do whatever they like !
This is Wales today even with new animal welfare act this kind of thing goes on , a disgrace . To learn more please visit http://www.dogs-r-us.org/ and make your voice heard.
Other sites that are also running free ads for dogs - and are thus giving a ready vehicle to puppy trafficking/farming and scammers are Lycos (powered by oode), www.ukclassifieds.co.uk and www.preloved.co.uk - I'm waiting for their response to my enquiry - I asked for an outline of their policies regarding dog and other animal adverts
10 minutes after posting my last comment about oodle they have replied to one of my emails - they have removed many of the adverts I highlighted believing them to be scams. However, they say they so not have a specific policy against pet trafficking per se, they cannot tell the difference between traffickers and legitimate sellers by the ads they post - although I would have thought there were clues in the number of ads run, they can only take action if the sale is illegal, but they do try to stop proven traffickers but cannot prevent them from using a new email address. However, since this type of site is an ideal vehicle for traffickers and puppy farmers I believe that that the advertising of any livestock in this way should be stopped
Recently I was browsing the Internet and looking at dogs for sale and came across a classified ad site called Oodle (www.oodle.co.uk) they have ads for hundreds of dogs many of them from very dubious sources, most probably traffickers. They have dealers offering many types of pedigree pups including rare breeds at very low prices - many of them quoting several different locations for the same "breeder"! As an experiment we contacted one of these people - and our fears were confirmed immediately - he wanted to delver the dog we couldn't see it because he was in Belfast despite the ad saying Coventry! I have contacted the RSPCA with the details. I have written several emails to oodle (they seem to be an international company) highlighting these problems - both in general and with specific advertisers but have received no reply. I would like any suggestions on how to stop them running these ads or to shame them with adverse publicity - at the moment I would say they seem to be lacking in morality
lil_los@hotmail.co.uk August 31, 2008 at 7:58 p.m.
what is the point. please? it just makes me want to cry or reach out and give these people a good slap in the face. i no im only 16, but that doesnt stop the fact that i want to give animals a voice. i love animals my parents have brought me up with them. i currently have a dog and a rabbit. my dog was not from one of these puppy-trafficking places, but he is the sweetest thing ever. i love dogs to bits and it sickens me that horrible people can treat puppies in such a way, when you look in to your animals eyes, or when they cuddle up to u, u no that they just do NOT deserve to be handled in such a terrible way. grr, makes me angry just thinking about it!
Secret - yes, you are so right. I cannot imagine ever wanting to live without dogs around me. I brought my children up surrounded by dogs and cats and chickens and ducks and geese and rabbits and a donkey. Dogs and children are like ying and yang, they are made to be together. All animals deserve to be raised with care and treated with respect - every dog deserves a good home. Dogs give us their unconditional love and devotion, we are not really worthy of such devotion but must work at it every day that they live with us.
k9kathy - I'm surprised that someone who purports to have the best interests of dogs at heart would fund the business of puppy traffikers by buying a puppy on the cheap from an advert and unknown source. It's those who buy from these people, not breeders of pedigree dogs and those who care enough to make sure that they buy from a good reliable source, that threaten the welfare of dogs. A bit like buying a battery chicken instead of a free range one - or their eggs for those vegetarians out there. I agree with you that the internet and such places should be banned from advertising puppies for sale - but I cannot imagine a scenario where I would be willing to buy any living thing from such a source, as going there to look for one means that you are seeing them as a commodity not a living, breathing entity.
As a rescue dog I consider myself lucky everyday to have a loving, caring family and a warm, happy house to call my home. Unfortunately there are literally millions of pets who cannot say the same beacuse of the widespread attrocity known as "Puppy Farms". I am still beyond horrified as to the conditions and lack or care that is considered acceptable to bestow on helpless dogs and cats. As "mans best friend" I cannot see the logic or reasoning behind anyone who buys a pet from an inhumane breeder or location. I would be hopeful that it is widely known that many of these so called "Puppy & Kitten Farms" sell their animals on to breeders and through website and paper advertisments, but it is really no excuse for someone buying a puppy or kitten to ignore what must be so blantantly obvious. There are so many things that can be checked and see with first hand experience, and of course there is always "If in doubt, do not buy". I suppose it would be a common misconception that if you buy one of these suffering animals that you are actually helping them out, and on one level this is true. However, you are in reality, only making room for more puppies and kittens to be bred and sold and are actually endorsing the whole process.
I felt it was my duty as a pet of the world to post my opinions of this dispicable trade and hopefully have a dog voice for those who cannot be found or saved. We depend so heavily on humans for love, care, nurturing and housing and there are so many millions of people who provide all that we could ever need and want. But sadly this is not the only type of person. Breeders of the type described above are after one thing only....MONEY. Breeding animals is not a cheap or carefree business and these inhumane people will cut corners whereever they see fit in order to increase the size of their wallets. Whether this means no vaccinations, poor living conditions, little food and water, breeding females to often and too young, taking puppies and kittens away from their mothers before they are ready. These people are obviously not a part of the so called "nation of pet lovers" this country prides itself on, and I would be utterly suprised if they even have any human compassion for any living thing.
To read my full doggie rant on this subject and to comment on anything that can be done please visit my blog as below.
Jay - Border Collie http://dogwithblog.wordpress.com
I've spoken to the BBC this morning because they're planning on hitting a puppy trader near me on Rogue Traders. We bought a Labrador pup from them in late October/early November last year, and he died of parvo within a week. I reported them to Trading Standards as we heard other similar stories from the vet and others in our area.
It turns out now that the RSPCA suspect him of being a puppy farm AND bringing puppies in from other sources.
They constantly have puppies on sale, of multiple breeds and I would LOVE to see them get publicly exposed.... especially after their nonchalent "claim it on the insurance" statement to us, after they'd pocketed the cash.
Puppy traffiking is often the result of puppy farms who breed dogs in appalling conditions, who don't socialise their puppies (psychological problems), and pass on puppies with congenital problems due to poor living conditions for mum and pups. And, now thanks to the RSPCA and BBC bias in their programme about pedigree dogs, many people will now not go to the people who care about their breeding dogs and the puppies, people who keep them in the house and have the puppies running around with them (all of the breeders from whom I've got my pedigree puppies raise them like this). In fact, I have been wanting a puppy from a certain breed for 3 years now and because so few are bred and so many people want them I'm still waiting - perhaps all of the people who have problems with their dogs aren't willing to wait for one from a decent breeder so go to a puppy farmer and that's why they get health problems.
Full credit to the RSPCA for highlighting this trade. Laws need to be made much tighter.These people afe out to make a fast buck on the back of people's greed and vanity. It is a neglect issue-neglect in the sense that the animals welfare is not paramount
While there is a demand for 'designer' dogs, there will be a supply. If someone wants a bulldog pup, for instance, but can't afford the £1000 fee, then of course they are going to buy one from the free advertising newspapers for £350. Even if it means meeting the 'breeder' at the services on the motorway. Whilst it would be nice to think that most people have some common sense, it's all too apparent, that when it comes to pedigree dogs, most people are a bit too trusting. These back street breeders are only interested in one thing, YOUR MONEY!!!
My opinion of people who make money from misery is quite simple......they are worse than drug dealers. I was caught by one of these scumbags 6 weeks ago and my little girl was on a drip for 5 days, had to have morphine for pain and also had 4 plasma transfusions. £1000 vet bill later and, thank god,a puppy still alive, I find that the scumbag who made money from my little girls misery is actually advertising many different breeds on the internet and all the pups have had their 1st jabs (lies) and also mum can be seen with whatever litter you enquire about (more lies). They have even posted bogus addresses on the ads and give you the proper address when you call. All the ads have different mobile numbers too. Very greedy, very crafty and utterly immoral. The quicker the law is changed to stop classifying animals as "goods" the better. I also dont understand when you have irrefutable proof that lies & deceit are used when selling a puppy that they cannot be arrested for gaining money through deception, after all if I sold someone a car that had a dodgey MOT or something like that I would soon be nicked.
oops forgot to add. the reason behind puppy trafficking is purely cosmetic and fashion. i love whippets - i was brought up with 4 of them, and i now own my own (so obviously in the future i will certainly be after another whippet) but there is no way i would buy one from a commercial breeder, i would definatly get a rescue dog again (like the one i have now) because i will not support the cruel unnecessary breeding of dogs, directly or indirectly.
i wasnt aware how widespread this was. if there are so many puppies born each day, we are allowing many, many dogs to suffer because of overbreeding. (does anyone have any links for more information on this topic?) it makes me feel ill to know that many of these puppies wont find a loving home and that many will just end up as abandoned dogs and treated as pests :(
we looked all over the internet looking for a puppy. I was absolutely stunned when we got lots of replies about puppies for an affordable price. one in particular was a little girl but the stories the 'owner' didnt add up. The puppy was from kent (quite a distance to drive from cheshire for a puppy but well worth it) but suddenly it turned out to be in malan and the 'owners' not even with her... we were heart-broken but couldn't continue with the purchase:- either it was fake or puppy trafficing was happening, the stories just did not add up. eventually we found a lovely family in wales, we met the parents of our young pup and played with the litter for a few hours. it as such a lovely experience and dillain is my pride and joy.
It was such an eye-opener when we saw how many people seemed to not be honest about selling puppies and we should try and do as much as we can to stop people from being so cruel to such young lives.
I think puppy trafficing is awful, the people who run such thing should be very ashamed. Even if their aim is to get good bred puppies they arn't going to get very far keeping them in that horrible place with them all cramped up like that, it's just sick. How could someone do such a thing?
These puppys are kept in bad conditions, and just a fashion accsessorie (sorry spelling) for most people, it keeps this cruel people in business, Dogs are dogs, puppys are puppys. I have two of my own, they don't need to be perfect looking, they are lovely animals that don't deserve to be picked out by things like colour ect.. I just hope that these puppys find a nice home and are treated well. I don't agree with how people can buy puppies from such a place though.
Forgive my possible naivety on this subject, as although I love dogs and have two of my own (both rescues), I can't help wondering what drives the puppy industry. From all I have seen and heard, it seems to me that the reason this industry thrives is the demand for "designer" or pedigree dogs. I am not saying that those who contribute to this demand are not genuine animal lovers who will treat the dog well, but why does your dog HAVE to be a certain colour or a certain breed? Obviously if you have an interest in a particular breed and regularly show your dogs, then I can understand, but for the average Joe, isn't it just a bit of a fashion statement? After all, if what you want is a doggy companion because you love dogs, what is wrong with the millions of homeless dogs in this country, many of whom end up getting destroyed simply for being "surplus to requirements". Many of these dogs are pedigree dogs, many are not, but in the right hands, most will become loyal companions for life. I have a Border Collie, but she was about to be shot, so I took her on. I had never seen her till the day she was delivered to me. I didn't know what she looked like, or even if she was a dog or a bitch. All I knew was her age. What she looked like, what markings, what colour etc didn't enter my head for one minute. In fact, she is the most beautiful looking dog I have ever seen, but that is pure chance. It is the demand which feeds the industry, and if you are willing to pay the price for your designer dog, then breeders will keep breeding and puppy farms will continue to prosper. It is that simple isn't it? The RSPCA will do all they can, but the puppy farmers will always make money and find new ways of disguising their practices. The only reliable way in my view of stamping out puppy farming is to remove the demand which drives the industry. This means educating people to understand that a dog is a dog, not a fashion accessory, not something to look good with your beige handbag, not something to parade round as a symbol of your wealth or status. This sadly will take a long time, particularly in our fashion obsessed culture.
I work for the European Union in Greece. Yesterday, a dog came into the car park at my work with his skin removed. Somebody had skinned this dogs back. He was also extrememly thin. Luckily we were able to save him. We took him to the vet and she will keep hold of him for a week until he is better. You can imagine the suffering of animals here. There are hundreds living on the streets in a terrible state. Greeks prefer to buy expensive pure breed dogs which they buy from pet shops. Dogs on the streets they see as vermin and poison them or in some cases I have witnessed hang them up by their throuts in the heat until they die.
It makes me sick to hear about this :-( How do people get away with it?? If i got a dog i would never buy it from a shop i would adopt one from a charity ike the RSPCA, dogs trust, Blue Cross ect. :-( !!!
It makes me sick to hear about this :-( How do people get away with it?? If i got a dog i would never buy it from a shop i wwould adopt one from a charity ike the RSPCA, dogs trust, Blue Cross ect. :-( !!!
I've never had a dog, but i think i can definitely say that if i ever get one i'll check a millionzillion times that the place is not trafficking puppies. Or getting them illegally. Or any other animal, actually.
Get two vets to state that the animal is ill (and from when and what etc)
Then go online to http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/infoabout/claims/index.htm
Complete the claim for a refund and costs here , its friendly and very easy, costs are about £40-80 depending on how much you claim. You do not require a solicitor and providing you can attend court then the service is excellent. If the business has gone under try to seek personal costs against the defendant in the same manner.
CockerCharlie says: It is easy to say about getting your money back, but in our case this seller has gone out of business and had moved away and the local trading standards said that we have to mount a private proscution. I have to say that we would not even know where to start on this and we dont have the money either!!!
Could I just point out that anyone who has been misled about the health status of a puppy that they have purchased should keep copies of any vet bills and specifically ask Trading Standards for help in putting pressure on the seller to refund the puppy's purchase price and/or pay the bill.
I know of at least one person who did succeed in getting some of their bill covered and it is one way of making irresponsible selling less profitable.
To add to that I advise on many sites about the legality of getting their refunds for purchases they have made from both pet profiteers and breeders who fail to disclose health conditions.I also advise on canine welfare and health conditions, oh and yes I AM QUALIFIED TO DO SO. Breeders really do need to read before they write, it would appear to be a very common fault, The RSPCA should be congratulated for taking this stance, not before time I might add.I would like them to prosecute more and in a professional manner ,many cases they do prosecute are legally appalling and its about time they had better training to effect far more prosecutions in a fair and equittable manner.I personally would like to see them apply for ANIMAL POLICE STATUS , this would give them far more powers ! The RSPCA MUST visit every known puppy farmer and check conditions , to date they fail here badly. ACTIONS are far better than words... so come on DO SOMETHING TO STOP SUFFERING NOW ! Also have a campaign to stop such ridiculous prices being charged by greedy breeders , make the public aware , that would help to stop puppy farmers......
As I said in the post many breeders are deluded and as I said note the response given by that breeder was of that nature.It is factually wrong to state that breeders do not make money they do , I am not actually interested in who you are , I am interested though that you mention you did pay taxes , I know through the tax office the first sole breeder in the UK to pay taxes and I can assure you it wasnot a cavalier breeder.Incidently cavaliers are one breed of dog in the UK that due to over breeding have serious health problems did you ever have them health tested BEFORE breeding and did you ever mention health problems to any of your owners ? If you did well done... If not then herein lies the problem doesnt it, yet another breeder who fails to test BEFORE making money! If you would have read the post instead of simply picking snippets and getting on your high horse then you would have realised that I am not against breeding, what I am against is POOR BREEDING , BREEDING FOR MONEY, BREEDING AS A SOURCE OF INCOME TO ATTEND SHOWS AND BREEDING WITHOUT TESTING.... Simply that adds up to people taking advantage of their dogs, pets whatever they want to call them. They are profiteering from their dogs and YES that does include show breeders, if they did not charge such high prices for their dogs then the need for puppy farmers would diminish, THEY cannot justify the prices , its extortionate , greedy and an afront to any breeder who takes the time to research lines before mating, rather than mating at show venues and many do, with a dog and bitch from within the breed club. Breed clubs have ethical codes , frankly when you read them they mean very little and many breed club members are simply puppy farmers. I happen to rescue dogs also and unlike many rescues I PAY for them to be spayed or neutered BEFORE they are rehomed, this stops DL registrations from pups born. PUPPY FARMERS EXIST IN EVERY WALK OF LIFE, THE PROBLEM IS OWNERS CANNOT RECOGNISE THEM , THEY GET BAFFLED BY THE MANTRA OF THESE PET PROFITEERS. For over 5 years now our GLOBAL sites have openly published the poor breeders details, the untested dogs and the dogs with known health conditions, we publish information to assist new owners in spotting a pet profiteer and we openly inform about poor breed clubs and its membership. So just in case you cannot read here is what we stated and will continue to state as it is factual: PUPPY FARMERS EXIST IN EVERY SOCIAL GROUP, THEY MAKE MONEY FROM THEIR DOGS, THEY DO NOT GIVE MONEY TO RESCUES, THEY MATE UNTESTED DOGS, THEY SPEND VERY LITTLE TIME WITH THEIR DOGS, THEY CAN BE SHOW JUDGES, BREED CLUB MEMBERS AND WILL USUALLY HAVE NO OTHER SOURCE OF INCOME.
http://www.dogs-r-us.org/ and the Puppy Love team would like to thank the RSPCA for taking the time and trouble to contact us with information about their work on [name removed]. We are now satisfied they did their best and worked hard to get license revoked.
We will continue to work with them in an attempt to make an impact on this wicked trade.
Thank you RSPCA for making me aware of this awful 'business' - this is just dreadful and I had no idea that this sort of thing happened! I feel really silly because I didn't even know that Pet Shops still sold puppies!
I think people are being a bit critical of the RSPCA - maybe there has been a history and maybe they haven't been perfect but the fact that they are now raising the profile of Puppy Trafficking and informing people like me that this awful thing exists is surely a good thing?
If you have had a bad experience of buying a puppy, please contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 on visit www.consumerdirect.gov.uk - they are the central body for Trading Standards. They can provide advice on your rights and refer the complaint to the local Trading Standards office.
Jules4Daisy please send the info to me by email or complete my questionnaire on my web site. I need to speak to you with all the evidence, cannot do anything without, I will try my best but do need the help from you. Irrational talk will no get results, basic facts and evidence will. I find it hard to believe they were not interested, I think you may have not spoken to the right person. Did you speak to Barbara Snow this is the officer you need to speak to at T/S if message left they should call you back.
Cushti please the same applies to you please contact me. Cant help without the evidence.
jules4daisy, this is sadly the case all too often and I know just how you feel. You expect help from the LA'S and Rspca then you get let down.
We had a similar case concerning [name removed], dying pups, very sick pups, lots of evidence to LA and RSPCA what happened? nothing the trader has moved into another county and will continue her evil trade unhindered, unbelievable !
i have contacted essex trading standards not interested and ive reported it to rspca have not heard from the officer since november i should have done what i said to rspca and stolen all the puppies put them in my kitchen then called rspca i feel im banging my head against a brick wall and i feel the law lets this evil woman get away with it since i reported it to rspca dogs from her premises have died or been very ill what more does the rspca and trading standards need to shut her down it really makes me angry.i have reported the daisy story to puppy alert and spoke to someone who was really nice but it lays down to the rspca and trading standards to actually do something or maybe in the end someone will take it in to their own hands and will do something theirselves
Raising public awareness to these establishments is all very well; if you were giving a warning about the perils of buying a sabre-toothed tiger, but how on do you tell a family who think they are saving a puppy from a terrible life, to turn their backs? How many times have we all heard, “It might have been a puppy farm – but at least I saved our Bonzo”. How will you drive this message home?
If, as you say,
‘We work closely with local authorities. This includes passing on details of complaints we've received about puppy traders so they can investigate further. However local authorities are not obliged to seek assistance from us or any other animal welfare organisation to help with annual inspections’.
Then why can you not oversee the passing on of details and ensure that complaints about these puppy traders’ are seen through to prosecution?
We could go on debating back and forth forever. All I am asking is for you to show that the outcome you are aiming toward is the same we are pushing for.
A trader in Essex has already been mentioned as being prosecuted twice before, and is continuously in contempt of court, selling sick puppy after sick puppy. Ask her what she thinks of the RSPCA – she laughs. Take her to court and she’ll use another name for herself and her establishment. There are people on here with overwhelming proof of her guilt - what more do you need to see?
All we are asking for is a bit of solidarity; give us a bit of hope, rather than this continuous feeling of coming up against a brick wall.
I brought a beautiful puppy from [name removed] and everything was ok til April of this year when she was admitted to the emergency vets with non stopping fitting. I left our Belle at the vets and came home and tried to call the above place but no reply so i started to search the net and found out that this place was a puppy mill and some other owners that had brought puppies there were going through horrendous times with their pups too. I contacted the local trading standards to find out that the owner of this place had had her license taken away for selling sick puppies but had contuined to sell them anyway, the RSPCA were involed at this time however i have heard that the RSPCA are not going to prosecute this place and i find it hard that they are doing this campaign yet not doing anything about a place that they knew exsisted!!!! Our Belle is a very poorly 11mth old puppy and is going to drugs for the rest of her life and isnt the same puppy she was before all this fitting happened, she also has a very narrow windpipe and a slight heart murmur.
I have had lots of dogs and puppies come through my life some fostered some just didnt work out but i can safely say not one had puppies or was involved in making them as i got them all done even though i live on benefits due to being disabled! At the moment i have an 8 month old staff and he is just adorable brilliant with the cats and kids. People do need to neuter their pets not enough are being done,i nag family members to neuter their dogs and so far so good they listen and if they wont i would make them watch one of the films showing dogs stuck in cages without homes or a puppy farm hopefully that would persuade them.
Just to reiterate what we have said earlier, The RSPCA does investigate allegations of cruelty - and we have successfully prosecuted puppy breeders and traders in the past where animal suffering has occurred.
We also pass on details of complaints we've received about puppy traders to local authorities so they too can investigate.
The RSPCA would like to see a change in the law and have submitted proposals to Defra highlighting the importance of a robust, enforceable traceability scheme for puppies. We have also urged the government in England to look at the licensing system being proposed in Scotland as a potential model for the future.
Staffie and jules4daisy please both contact Essex Trading Standards this trader who you purchased your puppy from is in contempt of court for selling sick puppies, taken to Court by Essex Trading Standards and Office of Fair Trading at Southend County Court. Unfortunately Chelmsford Council licenses her as a pet shop each year this must be stopped. Give the evidence to both and it will help to take this trader back to Court. Please,forward your information to them and also to me at puppyalert2003@yahoo.co.uk by email and I will telephone you if you leave a contact number or you can complete my online questionnaire on the website (soon to be updated) http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/puppy_alert/index.htm Much info on this trader on my website and web journal.
Thank you RSPCA for your reply. Please reply with your answers to my questions on the above email or arrange a telephone conversation at your convenience to discuss my questions. Thank you.
Thanks for your post. It is probably easier to discuss some of the points raised in your post - could you please therefore email your contact details to campaigns@rspca.org.uk and someone will give you call.
staffy im so sorry for what has happened to you i bought daisy i sure its from the same place the end of september 2007 i went into the premises and was asked what dog i wanted i said it was the yorkie female the lady just put her in my arms ia asked to see all puppies she had she would not let me look i paid for daisy and she soaked her in flea spray daisy was 10 weeks old when i got her the lady said she had a family tree which was fake and had all jabs which 2 were fake.daisy was very sick all the way home i thought it was the journey and she did pick up i took her to the vets for a check up 2 days after getting her and they said she was underweight and had a slight fever they gave me medicine but by the friday daisy was being sick it was all blood and had blood when she went to the toilet she was rushed to the vets at First they thought she had parvo but thankfully she did not i took her jab sheet i was given by the pet shop seller and i was told these jabs did not excist so now daisy was very ill and had no jabs daisy was kept in the vets for 5 days and nearly did not make it she had phenomena daisy did pull though and is making up 4 it she is spoiled due to what she went though and my 2 other dogs adore her im just sorry your puppy did not make it.i to rang the lady who sold her to me but she was very rude and said it was my fault but i to have other dogs and they have been fine this stupid woman needs to be stopped im incontact with the rspca and have been since the day daisy fell ill i would tell anyone do not buy a puppy
(The remainder of this post has been removed in accordance with paragraph 6 & 7 of the terms & conditions. Please could all blog users be reminded to check the terms and conditions before posting on this site.)
In response to the above reply by the RSPCA to Cushti
Why is the RSPCA sending details of complaints to local authorities and not dealing with the complaint directly themselves? The Animal Welfare Act 2006 is a 'common informer' Act which means that it is not only statutory enforcement agencies that can enforce the Act's provision. If any member of the public can enforce the provision, then surely the RSPCA can? Therefore why is the RSPCA not entering licensed dog breeding establishments with or without a warrant and Council licensing officer if informed that the five freedoms are not being adhered to by a breeder?
Public awareness on the puppy trade and puppy farming has been going on for years, the message is not getting through. Just look at the ads selling multiple breeds of puppies in the free ads and on line. Those of use that keep up the awareness by web sites are getting very weary of the lack of action by Licensing officers, RSPCA and vets that keep ticking boxes and saying OK when inspecting these premises as we know differently. Work with us and stop this trade by using the Act where it will make a difference in the breeding premises. Telling people to not buy a puppy from a pet shop is not going to stop this trade. If it was then the cinema ads by Dogs Trust, Free Fido Campaign would have had the desired effect years ago. If the RSPCA were to support Puppy Alert for a ban on puppies from being sold from a third party ie pet shop that will make a difference and the trade in puppy trafficking would decrease. Can the RSPCA explain why this would not be a better option?
Yeh, I think it's a case of shoot the messenger about this. The RSPCA shouldn't get grief for telling us how it is. It's the breeders and pet shops who put money before the puppies' best interests.
I applaud the RSPCA for this campaign - if you don't tell people about the problem they will never know about it. And if it's the puppies that people are buying then its the puppies that they need to focus on.
It's really sad what happens to the parents and I agree that more needs to be done about it but I think there's some people posting on this site who seem to blame the RSPCA and they're not the ones being cruel to the dogs.
Well done RSPCA, you've got my thumbs up on this issue.
I think you are losing support here because you have hardly mentioned the terrible conditions the parent dogs live in and what you could do to help them now , not years down the line?
Raising awareness is not enough, people will always impulse buy the cute pup in the pet shop no matter how much you warn them not to. Todays generation want everything instantly and while they can buy pups this way they will. Also when they walk into some of these pet shops to be faced with a wall of photos of stupid celebrity satisfied customers means more than any words you or I can say ?
So how about a proper rethink , a really good plan we can all get behind with confidence ? Otherwise sorry to say I think you are on a loser. People really want to help these poor unfortunate dogs that are caged in breeding establishments day after day, old worn out, bred almost to death , sick and dying and they want to do it now as its long, long overdue.
Another point if the vets of this country are so concerned why do a lot of them service these dealers and breeders ?
raising awareness is all well and good as part of a strategy but ACTION speaks louder the words..it doesnt matter how many people are reached there will always be one who is either missed or is lured by a dog thats cheap and seeing as many of these puppies are sold under cutting a ethical breeder they are like beacons to naieve or tight bargin hunters...the amount of people who post wanted ads for pedigree dogs like chihuahua's and pomeraninas free or cheap is crazy. the breeding bitches and stud dogs are suffering so terribly right now while people are told about this...they need released from their prisons licenced brreders or not if the dogs are suffering they should be taken from these cruel pigs who use them for their own monatary value. its time to take action.
January 2006 Meeting held between Kennel Club, RSPCA and Dogs Trust was the first of a new group aimed at addressing the problem of what is sometimes called "puppy farming" was hailed a success. How many hours did it take this eminent group to agree a definition of the term "puppy farming" It was held to discuss the present and future roles of each organisation and To develop a joint and co-ordinated strategy. According to Caroline Kisco of the K.C. the meeting proved extremely beneficial and promised that the group would begin working on the initial action points agreed at the meeting . Further details of these discussiion will be made in due course.
That was the last we heard of it. Were any more discussion held or was it just another excuse for lunch on the expense account?
How many more meetings are to held between the national animal welfare parties before any action is taken?
There is no point in referring us to Cosumer Direct as we work directly with Licensing, Planning and Environmental Health. We would appreciate the names of breeding establishments that you have prosecuted. The RSPCA took over two years to prosecute a breeder in Abergavenny and it was only because of the media coverage that we had that you were obliged to act. Plus the fact that the MP for Monmouth had to waste his time writing to you.
I totally agrre with what puppy love is saying in order to stop the trafficking the puppy farms which produce these puppies which are often near death due to the conditions they are bred in and the lack of care/vetinary attention/ vacinations they recieve. it not suprising that due to most of the puppies being ill alraedy many die in transit. if no farms exist to produce the puppies then the traficking will cease as a result, there are also far worse fates puppies can meet puppy farmed dogs are often traficked abroad and many end up in the horrific dog meat trade, I understand how hard it is to bring about prosecutions but something needs to be done even by restricting the number of breeds/litters are bred per year the number of times each bitch is mated , the retirement age each stud dog should be rehomed...and not killed as many farmers do once they have made all the money they can out of the dog and the way in whic breeders advertise/sell their puppies the government needs to wake up and put stricter laws in place so you can achieve more prosectutions and bring these sick sick people to justice.
We work closely with local authorities. This includes passing on details of complaints we've received about puppy traders so they can investigate further. However local authorities are not obliged to seek assistance from us or any other animal welfare organisation to help with annual inspections.
We know this is a huge problem, but unfortunately current legislation allows for the trade in puppies to continue. Under the Animal Welfare Act secondary legislation there is opportunity for tighter regulations regarding the sale of puppies. The RSPCA has urged the government in England to look at a licensing scheme being proposed in Scotland as a potential model for the future.
We believe public awareness is the way forward at this present time to make people more aware of this trade and how they can avoid being caught out by the puppy traffickers.
I’m sorry, but I see this as nothing more than a paper exercise for the RSPCA and as ‘A Dog’s Life’ states, “get the publicity, draw in even more donations and leave the pups and breeding bitches to suffer”.
You say, “The RSPCA does investigate allegations of cruelty - and we have successfully prosecuted puppy breeders and traders in the past where animal suffering has occurred”.
Then why are these puppy ‘breeders’ still in business? One in particular, from Wickford, in Essex has been prosecuted twice, and yet is still trading – despite numerous complaints to Essex Trading Standards.
I have adopted 2 ex-breeding dogs’ and have fostered many others’ from different breeding establishments though a rescue in South Wales. No matter what breed of dog, most show the same characteristics, fear, despair, depression, broken spirited and physiologically damaged. The first I adopted fell to the ground in sheer terror the first time she was out in the rain – even now after almost two years, she paces constantly and despite being rescued over a year ago the other, still visibly shakes if a person looks at her. These two dogs'are not one of the toy breeds, they are both Boxers.
I have said this before but, to know that the fear that has been instilled in these animals by man, is so great, it causes their bladder to involuntary release on your approach is one of the worse feelings I have ever had.
So why is it not possible for an RSPCA Inspector or a representative from another Animal Welfare Organisation to accompany a council official on their yearly inspections? I am sure any animal welfare/rescue would be only too pleased to offer their services without cost, or funded through their own organisation, where donations would be gladly made. My long-running direct debit to the RSPCA was cancelled in protest to your apparent lack of interest in even acknowledging the existence of puppy farms’. It denies credibility that you can be that naive to state that these places are ‘An urban myth’.
Its terrible that such things are happening, i adore animals and have always had animal compainions. its so important that we know where our friends come from.
i have seen so many bitches just walking around my local park that have been abused or overbred. its terribly vital that these places are stopped and the public take notice.
its amazing what the RSPCA is doing and we all need to work together to stop this dreadful treatment.
Comments
Genie January 5, 2009 at 8:12 p.m.
OO Yay people are cumin up with ideas 2 actually do something!! I'm so excited!!
Link to this comment
puppylove January 3, 2009 at 2:50 p.m.
If anyone would like to watch this programme on puppy farming its now available here
http://www.dogs-r-us.org/puppyfarms.shtml
Link to this comment
puppylove January 3, 2009 at 2:49 p.m.
If anyone would like to watch this on puppy farming its now available here
http://www.dogs-r-us.org/puppyfarms.shtml
Link to this comment
puppylove December 31, 2008 at 3:23 p.m.
As we go into the new year we can look back over the past year to see what if anything has changed with puppy farming in the UK...
Sadly we can tell you it is not any better at all in fact maybe worse as more and more breeders and dealers jump on the bandwagon to try and make an easy living. People are allowed to apply for a pet shop license from private dwellings and it seems he LA's are only too happy to grant a license to anyone no matter how unsuitable premises maybe . So now we have the puppy farms not only trying to keep up the supply for the large pet shops but also numerous private houses across the land.
Just recently Puppy Love http://www.dogs-r-us.org/ went Undercover with a Welsh TV company to help make a documentary about licensed breeding establishments in Wales. What we discovered was no surprise to us at all, dogs ill and needing veterinary care, no water available , little food, no bedding even for new born pups, overcrowding, filthy disgusting conditions. The premises were all operating quite legally with little regard for the animal welfare act.
So where do we go from here ? we are bringing the issue to the publics attention as much as we can with little or no help from media or newspapers, they just do not want to know the same can be said of many politicians etc .
Will 2009 be any happier for these dogs who have suffered for decades and continue to suffer daily at the hands of greedy despicable people who will do anything for money ? Will the LA's clamp down and make sure the animal welfare act is adhered to ?
Its very, very doubtful, it would seem the dogs are destined to suffer indefinitely because most people don't care enough to stand up and be counted. Oh yes they mutter how cruel it is and and then go back to burying their heads in the sand .
Pet shops need to be banned from selling pups, newspapers need to stop advertising pups for sale and intenet sites who do the same should be wiped off the web, drastic yes but only when its not so easy for the general public to buy a puppy will any change happen. In this easy come easy go world its the dogs that suffer every time, owning a dog is a privilege, they should be treated with respect and kindness , loved and cherished ......maybe someday ?
So if you are a dog lover do something in the new year to help even if its just writing to your MP or the Welsh Assembly to voice your concerns , Ask the RSPCA what they are doing to help too, evil men only prosper when good men do nothing.
We wish you a happy and healthy new year, we just pray we could wave a magic wand and make the new year happy and healthy for all the dog in puppy farms throughout the land .
The Puppy Love Team
Link to this comment
doglover20 December 29, 2008 at 10:49 p.m.
I have two dogs and brought bella my first ever dog from some kennels in essex (rayleigh) they said the dogs had come from wales and the breeder was a 'friend' of there's and i believed them and why shouldn't of i well they told me she was a pure bred short haired border collie lie!! she is so not a pure bred you could not tell when she was that young (10 weeks) but she is now 18 months old and we are pretty sure she is a whippetxshort haired border collie i don't care what she is i love her loads!! but she started to show the normal signs of being on a puppy farm she was very timid and she had lots of behaviour problems she would bark at most people she would meet she hated people in hats even more she was timid towards people she was timid towards other dogs but i helped her through this and she now doesn't mind people although she still hates people wearing hats but loves playing with other dogs now i do have prove of that they told me she was a pure bred collie they gave me the address for the breeder in wales i can't find it anywhere!! when i went to go and buy holly my tri border collie (who is now 6 months old) i saw her doggie mummy and daddy and the rest of her family i learnt from my mistake don't get me wrong i could never be without bella and like i said i love her loads and she is mine forever!! :) oh i also forgot to say bella used to hide if you ever raised your hand she has stopped this now but she hates people shouting or screaming so i am sure she was on a puppy farm we must stop PUPPY FARMING!!!!!! oh also bella just loves my 1 year old nephew espically when he throw's her ball which by the way if you throw her ball for her all day (which by the way she could and has done) you will make a friend for life :) going on abit now sorry can't help but talk about my dogs could go all day anyway i will shut up now
Link to this comment
Fionaufo December 27, 2008 at 7:38 p.m.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7800901.stm
I hope this item featured on BBC Breakfast News today will at least generate awareness - please send comment emails to the BBC in support.
Link to this comment
georginga December 26, 2008 at 6:51 a.m.
perhaps we can concentrate on getting a certain Posh Knightsbridge store to stop selling designer Puppies at around £1000 a go, no sign of the mother, so who's to say she isn't in some crate on her next litter ready to keep the shelves well stocked once some WAG has walked out with one of the offspring!!
This particular shop sells Fur quite brazenly, hence appealing to its humane side would be pretty pointless, we simply need to get puppy farming banned / that and selling puppies in this manner!
Link to this comment
animallover57 December 23, 2008 at 5:56 p.m.
I've got an idea to raise awareness of this problem;
If we all made leaflets and handed them out to friends, family, schools, clubs or anywhere else we could put them, people would have to raise awareness. We could also make small clubs and discuss and hold events to grab people's attention. Making up stories, plays or posting a comment on your website could also grab their attention.....
Link to this comment
winnie December 19, 2008 at 9:25 p.m.
I have not posted on the subject of puppy farming since Jul and I am very disappointed to find that it looks to me as though the RSPCA still have done nothing to help these poor dogs.
Could someone from the RSPCA please show any evidence of their work? Have there been any inspections or prosecutions?
Link to this comment
puppylove December 19, 2008 at 12:24 p.m.
Perhaps the RSPCA can tell us what exactly have they done to help the poor dogs in this film , or has everyone gone home for Christmas ?
http://www.s4c.co.uk/clic/e_level2.shtml?series_id=315133547
Link to this comment
animallover57 December 14, 2008 at 8:12 p.m.
People who run puppy farms should be put in jail and worse punishments. The puppies are completely innocent and don't deserve this kind of treatment. If we raised the issue to the public, people would start taking action. If we started clubs with friends about this issue, or handed out leaflets to our local town and community, or posted comments on message boards in our towns, it would hopefully grab people's attention. Is there anything we can do, RSPCA?
Link to this comment
Mags53 December 11, 2008 at 12:39 a.m.
Joanie and others - everyone keeps praising the getting of a dog from a rehoming centre and criticising getting one from a breeder - you all miss the point that the dogs in rehoming centres are the problem not those bred by responsible breeders. It is the dogs in the rehoming centre who are the end result of bad owners or puppy farmers. The owners who allow their dogs to wander about and mate and produce puppies for which they have no people waiting with homes; puppy farmers because they just churn out puppy after puppy after puppy - badly reared and with behaviour problems before they start their life. Responsible breeders have their dogs and their breeds best interests at heart; have people waiting to buy their puppies; take their puppies back if it doesn't all work out for them. Why should I be made to feel guilty that I want to buy a puppy with known parentage (know about health issues and temperament and rearing) - after all, I expect them to be bomb proof around my grandchildren so am not going to risk my dogs or my grandchildren by getting a dog whose temperament I cannot be sure of. I know that rehoming centres are needed because people are rubbish at caring for anything properly, but they are not the only acceptable source of a pet dog! and in some situations are a bad source as they can have serious issues that don't surface immediately.
Link to this comment
Fionaufo December 9, 2008 at 11:43 a.m.
For you information there is a docuementary tonight on sky channel 134 at 9 pm some of the programme is in Welsh but there are subtitles. The second part is on Tuesday - although this is great it will have limited viewers but we do know it has caused action in Wales with the Puppy Farmers and Councils rushing about trying to clean up their act.
http://www.s4c.co.uk/bydarbedwar/e_index.shtml
Link to this comment
Joanie December 2, 2008 at 10:12 p.m.
Why is puppy trafficking still going on? 21 years ago i brought my first dog. The advice we were given was never buy a puppy unless you can see the mother. This still holds true today. Don't hand over your money unless you can this common sense approach will stop the cruel action of puppy trafficking.
Why hand over money to an uncaring mercinary organisation or individual, when there are many dogs looking for a good home from R.S.P.C.A. homing centres. We have gone on to rehome 5 retured greyhounds ( the lovelyest dogs on the planet). Our money is given to a good cause not to line somebody elses pocket.
Link to this comment
Genie November 28, 2008 at 11:32 a.m.
I think that the best way to get our point across is to start in a small way..... so does anyone have any ideas of how we can raise this issue in our communities?
Finally something might get done.
Link to this comment
Rabbit crazy November 26, 2008 at 7:31 p.m.
I think that puppy trafficing is a cruel and nasty way to make money.
These people have no right to treat these puppies the way they do!
The conditions they keep them in are just as horrendous as the people themselves!
I totally agree with genie and lottiebottie007.
These people really do deserve jail and other things!
Link to this comment
animallover57 November 26, 2008 at 4:24 p.m.
Something needs to be done here - we can't just sit here and watch time go by. We need to stop talking about it and take action so people know we're serious about tackling this problem once and for all!
Link to this comment
Genie November 22, 2008 at 12:42 p.m.
If only everyone saw the pain that they were causing animals....
we need to do something to raise this situation with everyone else. There must be some way we can all work together and get something done!!!
Come on people instead of just talking about it do something. People at the RSPCA do you know anything we can do?!
WE NEED TO TAKE ACTION!
Link to this comment
animallover57 November 20, 2008 at 8:46 p.m.
The puppies do not deserve this kind of treatment and the people running the farms deserve every punishment - thank you to Genie and lottiebottie007 as well as everybody else on give animals a voice for all the help we're doing for the innocent animals - they don't deserve this kind of treatment and puppy trafficking should be put to a stop altogether!
Link to this comment
lottiebottie007 November 18, 2008 at 12:38 p.m.
I agree with animallover7 and Genie, the people that do this should get whats coming to them, and worse. I would throw these people away in jail, lock them up forever. People that do this should feel how these puppies feel, and feel what its like being cramped up in a dark cage with faeces all around you.
Link to this comment
Genie November 14, 2008 at 9:49 p.m.
Thank you animallover,it's good to know that someone agrees with me.
Maybe we should treat people who treat dogs badly the same so that they know how it feels. That way they might notn do it again in the future.
Link to this comment
animallover57 November 14, 2008 at 6:08 p.m.
I agree with Genie - the people running puppy farms need to get their just desserts - the dogs don't deserve this kind if treatment and the owners should be in the dog's shoes - how do they feel when they're in cramped conditions, not getting any food or exercise at all - if the people can feel what this is like for the dogs, they would surely stop, right?
Link to this comment
animallover57 November 14, 2008 at 6:02 p.m.
I HATE puppy farms - I don't have a dog, but my friend has a dog and I would never want anything bad to happen to the dog at all - my friend adores her and it would be horrid for something to happen. The RSPCA should get rid of all puppy farms.
Link to this comment
Genie November 14, 2008 at 2:36 p.m.
I sooooooo agree with Fionaufo,Sheila,Mags and Kitty. We need to know what the RSPCA's views on this are and what actions are being taken to stop this!!! ANSWER PEOPLE!!!
I have a staffy of my own called Copper and He's my angel. I couldn't bear for anything evil 2 happen to him. It makes me sik wen i think that dogs are being treated so cruelly in those dog farms. They don't deserve it.
How would people like it if we treated them as cruelly as they treat animals? I think these people need their just desserts!
Link to this comment
saffroncat November 13, 2008 at 8:02 p.m.
Puppy farms are twisted and evil and the RSPCA should stop them!!!
Link to this comment
animalmad November 10, 2008 at 4:29 p.m.
i HATE!!!!puppy farms they are soooooo horrid i don't understand what they want with all there dogs.
they need to be stopped!
Link to this comment
Fionaufo November 9, 2008 at 3:44 p.m.
Firstly thanks to Sheila, Mags and Kitty for adding your comments unfortunately we still have had no comment from a representative of the RSPCA. This is very disappointing and unacceptable. I would appreciate acknowledgement of my request for information on what the RSPCA action/policy is relating to Puppy Farming. I look forward to finding out what actually is being done or how I can help.
Link to this comment
sheila11 November 2, 2008 at 9:59 p.m.
i have 2 dogs who are my pride and joy. i cant believe there are puppy farms i am new to this blogging its a awful mess those tiny pupps my heart goes out to them what are the pspca doing about this more info please. i pay by direct debit to save the animals so do it please please rspca.
Link to this comment
hello_kitty_ October 28, 2008 at 10:08 p.m.
i think this is a big issue for animal lovers. puppy farming needs to be sorted out. its horrible conditions and no sweet puppy deserves that. its not a job. its horrible they need to be sorted out. but what is the RSPCA doing about this!
Link to this comment
Mags53 October 26, 2008 at 10:03 p.m.
Come on RSPCA - you make comments on this site, respond to Fionaufo -, what steps are you taking? Or, are you too involved in giving the KC a bad press to deal with a major issue like this?
Link to this comment
Fionaufo October 16, 2008 at 3:28 p.m.
I would like to know what action the RSPCA is
taking to stop puppy farming. I would also like to know what legislation and or monitoring is done to ensure that dogs are not exposed to inhumane act of cruelty for financial gain. Furthermore how do I get involved in helping to stop this dreadful trade.
Link to this comment
Mags53 October 6, 2008 at 8:23 p.m.
I know that everyone is anti the KC at the moment but a good way of stopping this is for all pedigree dogs to have to be registered with the KC, for all dogs to have to be DNA tested (to prove sire/dam) and for a limit to the number of puppies born to a certain bitch to be registered. This is partly what is being brought in with a KC scheme - this scheme means that bitches who are too young or too old cannot have pups registered, it limits the number of puppies/litters. If these people cannot register the pups and therefore cannot sell them as pedigree and therefore at a high price they'll go away and find another way to make money.
Link to this comment
angryjackie October 5, 2008 at 10:16 p.m.
I have 2 rescued ex breeding bitches, they were both terrified and shook for days, one was severely malnourished had cataracts and a heart murmur but still they bred from her. They were both matted to the skin, crawling with flees and it took 5 baths to get rid of the smell. They are much better now, it cost me £2,000 for a cataract operation but it was worth it as she is a very different dog but I dont think that the fear will ever leave them. I have just learnt that a place not too far away from me is a puppy farm last year 22 litters of puppies were produced and its the daughter of a local councillor. I guess this is how they get away with it. It sickens me that they seem to legislate themselves.
Link to this comment
xspiritwalkerx September 28, 2008 at 2:24 p.m.
You wonder if these puppy farm people have ever thought of getting real jobs rather than just exploting aniamls
Link to this comment
shedevil September 25, 2008 at 10:29 a.m.
I think part of the problem is people going to puppy 'farms' at first unaware and then feeling the need to 'rescue' a puppy from there by purchessing them but this just keeps this cruel and unjust business going. If these people cant sell the dogs then they cant keep doing it.
Link to this comment
squigglegirl September 23, 2008 at 3:46 p.m.
I think this trade is cruel and awful!I feel like going up to those people and telling them how many lifes they have lost. I think there is no way to stop this but we can help it by not buying dogs from pet shops! Just don't do it!
Link to this comment
fuzzbutt September 19, 2008 at 5:30 p.m.
I work with animals and now one of my very loved pets was a puppy trafficing victim. She was bought by a local pet store to be sold at 4 weeks of age. Even though she had a "shot record" she was too young for vaccines to work and she ended up with PARVO. I worked at the hospital that she was brought to and did my job while becoming very attached to my little one. In my state it is against the law to sell a PARVO positive animal.The pet store was going to sell her to another pet store to make a profit. I rescued her before the exchange could take place. Lesson for any one is if you get a pet from a store it probably has an illness of some sort.DONT BUY FROM A PET STORE.
Link to this comment
T.L.C. September 19, 2008 at 4:22 p.m.
This is D's story.
After researching many breeders I decided on one. At the time he was the president of that breed's breed club in Canada. I assumed I was safe. At 13 months D had been shipped back from a former buyer in the east and was now up for grabs. Everything I had been looking for at 115 lbs he was the epitomy of the breeds standard. His age was a factor although as I had hoped to get a puppy. I paid the "president $1600.00 Canadian and brought D into my home. Within 6 months D suffered his first, of many Grand Mal Epileptic seizures and was placed on medication for life. I contacted the breeder who told me it was environmental at first, then something I had fed him, and eventually accused me of hitting him on the head causing brain trauma! In time this "breeder" stopped returning my calls and left me helpless and hopeless with a very sick dog. The story didnt end there. After carefully researching and asking questions of other breeders I found out D's epilepsy was known to the president of the breed club and that also D had huge people/animal aggression. This all played out in my home, mind you he was never once aggressive towards myself or my 2 daughters (Thank God ehe?) he would target anyone who entered the home. All this known to the man who took my money and sent me on my way. The woman who initially purchaxsed him planned on studding him but after he attacked her husband and turned on her he was sent back to the man who bred him originally. His pedigree and documents all forged.
D is now at peace, he died due to a massive tumour brought on by the medication that was prescribed to help his seizures. I had him a short 4 years and he taught me everything about unconditional love, strength and patience.
In his memory I now crusade against these backyard, cash grab so called breeders.
Every week I receive emails from others who now suffer the cruel agony of a dog having epilepsy. I honestly dont know what to tell them but love your dog as intensely as you possibly can, knowing that dog will become yet another sad statistic - breeders still breed & puppies still die.
T.L.C.
Link to this comment
Mags53 September 18, 2008 at 1:11 a.m.
The big problem now seems to be the people who have jumped on the bandwagon and are breeding cross-breeds, e.g. labradoodle, cockapoo, etc. and are charging the gullible public hundreds of pounds for the privilege of owning a mongrel - you cannot know what it will inherit from which parent - e.g. the labradoodle may moult like the labrador in it's breeding. If you want a dog that you know will not moult (allergies!) then just buy a poodle! What ever you think of the KC you can go to their web-site and see accredited breeders and registered puppies THEN if you have problems you have somewhere to go to complain and to raise issues about that breeder. AND, many reputable breeders of pedigree dogs will take back the puppies (and dogs) that they have bred if their new owner has problems. BUT, then of course, as most of you on these sites now seem to prefer to buy from puppy farmers or from the irresposnible owner who just lets their dog mate with anything THAN from a reputable breeder thanks to Pedigree Dogs Exposed I suppose this problem is now set to get much, much worse as these people will move in to fill the gap!!!!!!
Link to this comment
WolfGirl September 15, 2008 at 6:04 p.m.
I think its cruel and these people need a hard slap! It's wrong and its just to earn money. I just want to protect all those puppies
Link to this comment
sammyvanstaden September 15, 2008 at 5:20 p.m.
I have had my dog since I was six years old and I still have her. I cannot IMAGINE life without her. How can anyone do such a thing to a poor little dog? Only a sick, sick person would do that to make money.
Link to this comment
Eleanor September 15, 2008 at 4:04 p.m.
There are a few choice words that I would use to aptly describe puppy traffickers, but I don't think they are suitable for public viewing...It seems that no animal is safe in this world from people who are utterly desperate to make money and will do anything to get as much of it as they can, regardless of the animals that they are expoliting in the process. God help us if these people are allowed to carry on this shameful trade.
Link to this comment
carlos September 15, 2008 at 3:28 p.m.
hola soy de México quisiera ayudar de algun modo aca en Latinoamérica espero poder contactarme con alguien que hable en español se muy poco ingles ok saludos my msn is carlos.aguirre@hotmail.co.uk saludos y espero que pronto me puedan responder
Link to this comment
rspca under 8teenz September 13, 2008 at 4:50 p.m.
I have read puppyloves article but the only thing is How do we stop that???.I can only think to petition so that public can see what puppy trafficking really is because some people are unaware of this issue.
Link to this comment
puppylove September 12, 2008 at 8:24 a.m.
I would just like to add , if that were you or I treating dogs in this way we would be prosecuted but because these farms hold a license they are allowed to do whatever they like !
Shame on us all for letting this continue .
Link to this comment
puppylove September 12, 2008 at 8:12 a.m.
Perhaps readers would like to see this video ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8SGI62nRF0
This is Wales today even with new animal welfare act this kind of thing goes on , a disgrace . To learn more please visit http://www.dogs-r-us.org/ and make your voice heard.
Link to this comment
PTR September 6, 2008 at 6:53 p.m.
Other sites that are also running free ads for dogs - and are thus giving a ready vehicle to puppy trafficking/farming and scammers are Lycos (powered by oode), www.ukclassifieds.co.uk and www.preloved.co.uk - I'm waiting for their response to my enquiry - I asked for an outline of their policies regarding dog and other animal adverts
Link to this comment
PTR September 4, 2008 at 8:37 p.m.
10 minutes after posting my last comment about oodle they have replied to one of my emails - they have removed many of the adverts I highlighted believing them to be scams. However, they say they so not have a specific policy against pet trafficking per se, they cannot tell the difference between traffickers and legitimate sellers by the ads they post - although I would have thought there were clues in the number of ads run, they can only take action if the sale is illegal, but they do try to stop proven traffickers but cannot prevent them from using a new email address. However, since this type of site is an ideal vehicle for traffickers and puppy farmers I believe that that the advertising of any livestock in this way should be stopped
Link to this comment
PTR September 4, 2008 at 8:14 p.m.
Recently I was browsing the Internet and looking at dogs for sale and came across a classified ad site called Oodle (www.oodle.co.uk) they have ads for hundreds of dogs many of them from very dubious sources, most probably traffickers. They have dealers offering many types of pedigree pups including rare breeds at very low prices - many of them quoting several different locations for the same "breeder"! As an experiment we contacted one of these people - and our fears were confirmed immediately - he wanted to delver the dog we couldn't see it because he was in Belfast despite the ad saying Coventry! I have contacted the RSPCA with the details. I have written several emails to oodle (they seem to be an international company) highlighting these problems - both in general and with specific advertisers but have received no reply. I would like any suggestions on how to stop them running these ads or to shame them with adverse publicity - at the moment I would say they seem to be lacking in morality
Link to this comment
lil_los@hotmail.co.uk August 31, 2008 at 7:58 p.m.
what is the point. please? it just makes me want to cry or reach out and give these people a good slap in the face. i no im only 16, but that doesnt stop the fact that i want to give animals a voice. i love animals my parents have brought me up with them. i currently have a dog and a rabbit. my dog was not from one of these puppy-trafficking places, but he is the sweetest thing ever. i love dogs to bits and it sickens me that horrible people can treat puppies in such a way, when you look in to your animals eyes, or when they cuddle up to u, u no that they just do NOT deserve to be handled in such a terrible way. grr, makes me angry just thinking about it!
Link to this comment
Mags53 August 29, 2008 at 10:29 p.m.
Secret - yes, you are so right. I cannot imagine ever wanting to live without dogs around me. I brought my children up surrounded by dogs and cats and chickens and ducks and geese and rabbits and a donkey. Dogs and children are like ying and yang, they are made to be together. All animals deserve to be raised with care and treated with respect - every dog deserves a good home. Dogs give us their unconditional love and devotion, we are not really worthy of such devotion but must work at it every day that they live with us.
Link to this comment
Mags53 August 29, 2008 at 9:22 p.m.
k9kathy - I'm surprised that someone who purports to have the best interests of dogs at heart would fund the business of puppy traffikers by buying a puppy on the cheap from an advert and unknown source. It's those who buy from these people, not breeders of pedigree dogs and those who care enough to make sure that they buy from a good reliable source, that threaten the welfare of dogs. A bit like buying a battery chicken instead of a free range one - or their eggs for those vegetarians out there. I agree with you that the internet and such places should be banned from advertising puppies for sale - but I cannot imagine a scenario where I would be willing to buy any living thing from such a source, as going there to look for one means that you are seeing them as a commodity not a living, breathing entity.
Link to this comment
Secret August 29, 2008 at 9:33 a.m.
In the perfect world every dog would have a home and every home would have a happy dog
Link to this comment
Jay A Dog witha Blog August 28, 2008 at 4:40 p.m.
As a rescue dog I consider myself lucky everyday to have a loving, caring family and a warm, happy house to call my home. Unfortunately there are literally millions of pets who cannot say the same beacuse of the widespread attrocity known as "Puppy Farms". I am still beyond horrified as to the conditions and lack or care that is considered acceptable to bestow on helpless dogs and cats. As "mans best friend" I cannot see the logic or reasoning behind anyone who buys a pet from an inhumane breeder or location. I would be hopeful that it is widely known that many of these so called "Puppy & Kitten Farms" sell their animals on to breeders and through website and paper advertisments, but it is really no excuse for someone buying a puppy or kitten to ignore what must be so blantantly obvious. There are so many things that can be checked and see with first hand experience, and of course there is always "If in doubt, do not buy". I suppose it would be a common misconception that if you buy one of these suffering animals that you are actually helping them out, and on one level this is true. However, you are in reality, only making room for more puppies and kittens to be bred and sold and are actually endorsing the whole process.
I felt it was my duty as a pet of the world to post my opinions of this dispicable trade and hopefully have a dog voice for those who cannot be found or saved. We depend so heavily on humans for love, care, nurturing and housing and there are so many millions of people who provide all that we could ever need and want. But sadly this is not the only type of person. Breeders of the type described above are after one thing only....MONEY. Breeding animals is not a cheap or carefree business and these inhumane people will cut corners whereever they see fit in order to increase the size of their wallets. Whether this means no vaccinations, poor living conditions, little food and water, breeding females to often and too young, taking puppies and kittens away from their mothers before they are ready. These people are obviously not a part of the so called "nation of pet lovers" this country prides itself on, and I would be utterly suprised if they even have any human compassion for any living thing.
To read my full doggie rant on this subject and to comment on anything that can be done please visit my blog as below.
Jay - Border Collie
http://dogwithblog.wordpress.com
Link to this comment
Walkerboy August 27, 2008 at 10:16 a.m.
I've spoken to the BBC this morning because they're planning on hitting a puppy trader near me on Rogue Traders.
We bought a Labrador pup from them in late October/early November last year, and he died of parvo within a week.
I reported them to Trading Standards as we heard other similar stories from the vet and others in our area.
It turns out now that the RSPCA suspect him of being a puppy farm AND bringing puppies in from other sources.
They constantly have puppies on sale, of multiple breeds and I would LOVE to see them get publicly exposed.... especially after their nonchalent "claim it on the insurance" statement to us, after they'd pocketed the cash.
Link to this comment
Mags53 August 27, 2008 at 9:59 a.m.
Puppy traffiking is often the result of puppy farms who breed dogs in appalling conditions, who don't socialise their puppies (psychological problems), and pass on puppies with congenital problems due to poor living conditions for mum and pups. And, now thanks to the RSPCA and BBC bias in their programme about pedigree dogs, many people will now not go to the people who care about their breeding dogs and the puppies, people who keep them in the house and have the puppies running around with them (all of the breeders from whom I've got my pedigree puppies raise them like this). In fact, I have been wanting a puppy from a certain breed for 3 years now and because so few are bred and so many people want them I'm still waiting - perhaps all of the people who have problems with their dogs aren't willing to wait for one from a decent breeder so go to a puppy farmer and that's why they get health problems.
Link to this comment
seaflowers August 25, 2008 at 6:05 p.m.
Full credit to the RSPCA for highlighting this trade. Laws need to be made much tighter.These people afe out to make a fast buck on the back of people's greed and vanity. It is a neglect issue-neglect in the sense that the animals welfare is not paramount
Link to this comment
sam150150 August 25, 2008 at 4:31 p.m.
While there is a demand for 'designer' dogs, there will be a supply.
If someone wants a bulldog pup, for instance, but can't afford the £1000 fee, then of course they are going to buy one from the free advertising newspapers for £350. Even if it means meeting the 'breeder' at the services on the motorway.
Whilst it would be nice to think that most people have some common sense, it's all too apparent, that when it comes to pedigree dogs, most people are a bit too trusting.
These back street breeders are only interested in one thing, YOUR MONEY!!!
Link to this comment
k9kathy August 25, 2008 at 4:02 p.m.
My opinion of people who make money from misery is quite simple......they are worse than drug dealers.
I was caught by one of these scumbags 6 weeks ago and my little girl was on a drip for 5 days, had to have morphine for pain and also had 4 plasma transfusions. £1000 vet bill later and, thank god,a puppy still alive, I find that the scumbag who made money from my little girls misery is actually advertising many different breeds on the internet and all the pups have had their 1st jabs (lies) and also mum can be seen with whatever litter you enquire about (more lies). They have even posted bogus addresses on the ads and give you the proper address when you call. All the ads have different mobile numbers too. Very greedy, very crafty and utterly immoral.
The quicker the law is changed to stop classifying animals as "goods" the better.
I also dont understand when you have irrefutable proof that lies & deceit are used when selling a puppy that they cannot be arrested for gaining money through deception, after all if I sold someone a car that had a dodgey MOT or something like that I would soon be nicked.
Link to this comment
KayleighLouise August 24, 2008 at 5:04 p.m.
oops forgot to add. the reason behind puppy trafficking is purely cosmetic and fashion. i love whippets - i was brought up with 4 of them, and i now own my own (so obviously in the future i will certainly be after another whippet) but there is no way i would buy one from a commercial breeder, i would definatly get a rescue dog again (like the one i have now) because i will not support the cruel unnecessary breeding of dogs, directly or indirectly.
Link to this comment
KayleighLouise August 24, 2008 at 5 p.m.
i wasnt aware how widespread this was.
if there are so many puppies born each day, we are allowing many, many dogs to suffer because of overbreeding.
(does anyone have any links for more information on this topic?)
it makes me feel ill to know that many of these puppies wont find a loving home and that many will just end up as abandoned dogs and treated as pests :(
Link to this comment
CockerCharlie August 20, 2008 at 11:28 a.m.
I found this fact in a magazine the other day and it really shocked me.
1.2 MILLION puppies are born everyday- six times more than the number of human babies!!!!!!!
There has to be something that can be done!!!!
Link to this comment
kt&dillain August 19, 2008 at 11:58 p.m.
we looked all over the internet looking for a puppy. I was absolutely stunned when we got lots of replies about puppies for an affordable price. one in particular was a little girl but the stories the 'owner' didnt add up. The puppy was from kent (quite a distance to drive from cheshire for a puppy but well worth it) but suddenly it turned out to be in malan and the 'owners' not even with her... we were heart-broken but couldn't continue with the purchase:- either it was fake or puppy trafficing was happening, the stories just did not add up. eventually we found a lovely family in wales, we met the parents of our young pup and played with the litter for a few hours. it as such a lovely experience and dillain is my pride and joy.
It was such an eye-opener when we saw how many people seemed to not be honest about selling puppies and we should try and do as much as we can to stop people from being so cruel to such young lives.
Link to this comment
Em August 15, 2008 at 5:51 p.m.
I think puppy trafficing is awful, the people who run such thing should be very ashamed. Even if their aim is to get good bred puppies they arn't going to get very far keeping them in that horrible place with them all cramped up like that, it's just sick. How could someone do such a thing?
Link to this comment
zoe louise August 13, 2008 at 5:48 p.m.
These puppys are kept in bad conditions, and just a fashion accsessorie (sorry spelling) for most people, it keeps this cruel people in business, Dogs are dogs, puppys are puppys. I have two of my own, they don't need to be perfect looking, they are lovely animals that don't deserve to be picked out by things like colour ect.. I just hope that these puppys find a nice home and are treated well. I don't agree with how people can buy puppies from such a place though.
Link to this comment
romy-baybee August 10, 2008 at 10:05 p.m.
all i can sayis that dogs are very special to me and i hope that anyone whou could do such a thing as in the video should be ashamed!
Link to this comment
Sue August 1, 2008 at 1:46 p.m.
Forgive my possible naivety on this subject, as although I love dogs and have two of my own (both rescues), I can't help wondering what drives the puppy industry. From all I have seen and heard, it seems to me that the reason this industry thrives is the demand for "designer" or pedigree dogs. I am not saying that those who contribute to this demand are not genuine animal lovers who will treat the dog well, but why does your dog HAVE to be a certain colour or a certain breed? Obviously if you have an interest in a particular breed and regularly show your dogs, then I can understand, but for the average Joe, isn't it just a bit of a fashion statement? After all, if what you want is a doggy companion because you love dogs, what is wrong with the millions of homeless dogs in this country, many of whom end up getting destroyed simply for being "surplus to requirements". Many of these dogs are pedigree dogs, many are not, but in the right hands, most will become loyal companions for life. I have a Border Collie, but she was about to be shot, so I took her on. I had never seen her till the day she was delivered to me. I didn't know what she looked like, or even if she was a dog or a bitch. All I knew was her age. What she looked like, what markings, what colour etc didn't enter my head for one minute. In fact, she is the most beautiful looking dog I have ever seen, but that is pure chance. It is the demand which feeds the industry, and if you are willing to pay the price for your designer dog, then breeders will keep breeding and puppy farms will continue to prosper. It is that simple isn't it? The RSPCA will do all they can, but the puppy farmers will always make money and find new ways of disguising their practices. The only reliable way in my view of stamping out puppy farming is to remove the demand which drives the industry. This means educating people to understand that a dog is a dog, not a fashion accessory, not something to look good with your beige handbag, not something to parade round as a symbol of your wealth or status. This sadly will take a long time, particularly in our fashion obsessed culture.
Link to this comment
ranst August 1, 2008 at 1:25 p.m.
I work for the European Union in Greece.
Yesterday, a dog came into the car park at my work with his skin removed. Somebody had skinned this dogs back. He was also extrememly thin. Luckily we were able to save him. We took him to the vet and she will keep hold of him for a week until he is better. You can imagine the suffering of animals here. There are hundreds living on the streets in a terrible state. Greeks prefer to buy expensive pure breed dogs which they buy from pet shops. Dogs on the streets they see as vermin and poison them or in some cases I have witnessed hang them up by their throuts in the heat until they die.
Link to this comment
animal-lover July 29, 2008 at 1:48 p.m.
It makes me sick to hear about this :-( How do people get away with it?? If i got a dog i would never buy it from a shop i would adopt one from a charity ike the RSPCA, dogs trust, Blue Cross ect. :-( !!!
Link to this comment
animal-lover July 29, 2008 at 1:47 p.m.
It makes me sick to hear about this :-( How do people get away with it?? If i got a dog i would never buy it from a shop i wwould adopt one from a charity ike the RSPCA, dogs trust, Blue Cross ect. :-( !!!
Link to this comment
Jaffa July 24, 2008 at 12:42 p.m.
How can these people get away with this?? They need to be stopped immediatly!!! it makes me sad to hear about this.
Link to this comment
Gemma... (((<3))) July 22, 2008 at 3:17 p.m.
D:
How can people do this????
Oh, wait.... Money, isnt it :(
I've never had a dog, but i think i can definitely say that if i ever get one i'll check a millionzillion times that the place is not trafficking puppies. Or getting them illegally. Or any other animal, actually.
We need to use our people power!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Link to this comment
doggy rights UK July 17, 2008 at 8 p.m.
Actually all you need to do is this :
Get two vets to state that the animal is ill (and from when and what etc)
Then go online to http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/infoabout/claims/index.htm
Complete the claim for a refund and costs here , its friendly and very easy, costs are about £40-80 depending on how much you claim. You do not require a solicitor and providing you can attend court then the service is excellent.
If the business has gone under try to seek personal costs against the defendant in the same manner.
Link to this comment
CockerCharlie July 17, 2008 at 1:46 p.m.
CockerCharlie says:
It is easy to say about getting your money back, but in our case this seller has gone out of business and had moved away and the local trading standards said that we have to mount a private proscution. I have to say that we would not even know where to start on this and we dont have the money either!!!
Link to this comment
Cambstreasurer July 17, 2008 at 10:15 a.m.
Could I just point out that anyone who has been misled about the health status of a puppy that they have purchased should keep copies of any vet bills and specifically ask Trading Standards for help in putting pressure on the seller to refund the puppy's purchase price and/or pay the bill.
I know of at least one person who did succeed in getting some of their bill covered and it is one way of making irresponsible selling less profitable.
Link to this comment
doggy rights UK July 17, 2008 at 9:37 a.m.
To add to that I advise on many sites about the legality of getting their refunds for purchases they have made from both pet profiteers and breeders who fail to disclose health conditions.I also advise on canine welfare and health conditions, oh and yes I AM QUALIFIED TO DO SO.
Breeders really do need to read before they write, it would appear to be a very common fault, The RSPCA should be congratulated for taking this stance, not before time I might add.I would like them to prosecute more and in a professional manner ,many cases they do prosecute are legally appalling and its about time they had better training to effect far more prosecutions in a fair and equittable manner.I personally would like to see them apply for ANIMAL POLICE STATUS , this would give them far more powers !
The RSPCA MUST visit every known puppy farmer and check conditions , to date they fail here badly. ACTIONS are far better than words... so come on DO SOMETHING TO STOP SUFFERING NOW !
Also have a campaign to stop such ridiculous prices being charged by greedy breeders , make the public aware , that would help to stop puppy farmers......
Link to this comment
doggy rights UK July 17, 2008 at 9:23 a.m.
As I said in the post many breeders are deluded and as I said note the response given by that breeder was of that nature.It is factually wrong to state that breeders do not make money they do , I am not actually interested in who you are , I am interested though that you mention you did pay taxes , I know through the tax office the first sole breeder in the UK to pay taxes and I can assure you it wasnot a cavalier breeder.Incidently cavaliers are one breed of dog in the UK that due to over breeding have serious health problems did you ever have them health tested BEFORE breeding and did you ever mention health problems to any of your owners ?
If you did well done... If not then herein lies the problem doesnt it, yet another breeder who fails to test BEFORE making money!
If you would have read the post instead of simply picking snippets and getting on your high horse then you would have realised that I am not against breeding, what I am against is POOR BREEDING , BREEDING FOR MONEY, BREEDING AS A SOURCE OF INCOME TO ATTEND SHOWS AND BREEDING WITHOUT TESTING....
Simply that adds up to people taking advantage of their dogs, pets whatever they want to call them. They are profiteering from their dogs and YES that does include show breeders, if they did not charge such high prices for their dogs then the need for puppy farmers would diminish, THEY cannot justify the prices , its extortionate , greedy and an afront to any breeder who takes the time to research lines before mating, rather than mating at show venues and many do, with a dog and bitch from within the breed club.
Breed clubs have ethical codes , frankly when you read them they mean very little and many breed club members are simply puppy farmers.
I happen to rescue dogs also and unlike many rescues I PAY for them to be spayed or neutered BEFORE they are rehomed, this stops DL registrations from pups born.
PUPPY FARMERS EXIST IN EVERY WALK OF LIFE, THE PROBLEM IS OWNERS CANNOT RECOGNISE THEM , THEY GET BAFFLED BY THE MANTRA OF THESE PET PROFITEERS.
For over 5 years now our GLOBAL sites have openly published the poor breeders details, the untested dogs and the dogs with known health conditions, we publish information to assist new owners in spotting a pet profiteer and we openly inform about poor breed clubs and its membership.
So just in case you cannot read here is what we stated and will continue to state as it is factual:
PUPPY FARMERS EXIST IN EVERY SOCIAL GROUP, THEY MAKE MONEY FROM THEIR DOGS, THEY DO NOT GIVE MONEY TO RESCUES, THEY MATE UNTESTED DOGS, THEY SPEND VERY LITTLE TIME WITH THEIR DOGS, THEY CAN BE SHOW JUDGES, BREED CLUB MEMBERS AND WILL USUALLY HAVE NO OTHER SOURCE OF INCOME.
Link to this comment
puppylove July 16, 2008 at 1:25 p.m.
http://www.dogs-r-us.org/ and the Puppy Love team would like to thank the RSPCA for taking the time and trouble to contact us with information about their work on [name removed]. We are now satisfied they did their best and worked hard to get license revoked.
We will continue to work with them in an attempt to make an impact on this wicked trade.
Link to this comment
Melody July 16, 2008 at 9:13 a.m.
Thank you RSPCA for making me aware of this awful 'business' - this is just dreadful and I had no idea that this sort of thing happened! I feel really silly because I didn't even know that Pet Shops still sold puppies!
I think people are being a bit critical of the RSPCA - maybe there has been a history and maybe they haven't been perfect but the fact that they are now raising the profile of Puppy Trafficking and informing people like me that this awful thing exists is surely a good thing?
Link to this comment
RSPCA July 16, 2008 at 8:53 a.m.
If you have had a bad experience of buying a puppy, please contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 on visit www.consumerdirect.gov.uk - they are the central body for Trading Standards. They can provide advice on your rights and refer the complaint to the local Trading Standards office.
Link to this comment
puppyalert July 16, 2008 at 7:45 a.m.
Jules4Daisy please send the info to me by email or complete my questionnaire on my web site. I need to speak to you with all the evidence, cannot do anything without, I will try my best but do need the help from you. Irrational talk will no get results, basic facts and evidence will.
I find it hard to believe they were not interested, I think you may have not spoken to the right person. Did you speak to Barbara Snow this is the officer you need to speak to at T/S if message left they should call you back.
Cushti please the same applies to you please contact me. Cant help without the evidence.
Link to this comment
puppylove July 16, 2008 at 6:25 a.m.
jules4daisy, this is sadly the case all too often and I know just how you feel. You expect help from the LA'S and Rspca then you get let down.
We had a similar case concerning [name removed], dying pups, very sick pups, lots of evidence to LA and RSPCA what happened? nothing the trader has moved into another county and will continue her evil trade unhindered, unbelievable !
Link to this comment
jules4daisy July 15, 2008 at 9:45 p.m.
puppy alert
i have contacted essex trading standards not interested and ive reported it to rspca have not heard from the officer since november i should have done what i said to rspca and stolen all the puppies put them in my kitchen then called rspca i feel im banging my head against a brick wall and i feel the law lets this evil woman get away with it since i reported it to rspca dogs from her premises have died or been very ill what more does the rspca and trading standards need to shut her down it really makes me angry.i have reported the daisy story to puppy alert and spoke to someone who was really nice but it lays down to the rspca and trading standards to actually do something or maybe in the end someone will take it in to their own hands and will do something theirselves
Link to this comment
cushti July 15, 2008 at 7:52 p.m.
Raising public awareness to these establishments is all very well; if you were giving a warning about the perils of buying a sabre-toothed tiger, but how on do you tell a family who think they are saving a puppy from a terrible life, to turn their backs? How many times have we all heard, “It might have been a puppy farm – but at least I saved our Bonzo”. How will you drive this message home?
If, as you say,
‘We work closely with local authorities. This includes passing on details of complaints we've received about puppy traders so they can investigate further. However local authorities are not obliged to seek assistance from us or any other animal welfare organisation to help with annual inspections’.
Then why can you not oversee the passing on of details and ensure that complaints about these puppy traders’ are seen through to prosecution?
We could go on debating back and forth forever. All I am asking is for you to show that the outcome you are aiming toward is the same we are pushing for.
A trader in Essex has already been mentioned as being prosecuted twice before, and is continuously in contempt of court, selling sick puppy after sick puppy. Ask her what she thinks of the RSPCA – she laughs. Take her to court and she’ll use another name for herself and her establishment.
There are people on here with overwhelming proof of her guilt - what more do you need to see?
All we are asking for is a bit of solidarity; give us a bit of hope, rather than this continuous feeling of coming up against a brick wall.
www.dogs-r-us.org
Link to this comment
CockerCharlie July 15, 2008 at 11:21 a.m.
I brought a beautiful puppy from [name removed] and everything was ok til April of this year when she was admitted to the emergency vets with non stopping fitting.
I left our Belle at the vets and came home and tried to call the above place but no reply so i started to search the net and found out that this place was a puppy mill and some other owners that had brought puppies there were going through horrendous times with their pups too.
I contacted the local trading standards to find out that the owner of this place had had her license taken away for selling sick puppies but had contuined to sell them anyway, the RSPCA were involed at this time however i have heard that the RSPCA are not going to prosecute this place and i find it hard that they are doing this campaign yet not doing anything about a place that they knew exsisted!!!!
Our Belle is a very poorly 11mth old puppy and is going to drugs for the rest of her life and isnt the same puppy she was before all this fitting happened, she also has a very narrow windpipe and a slight heart murmur.
Link to this comment
sweetie July 15, 2008 at 10:29 a.m.
I have had lots of dogs and puppies come through my life some fostered some just didnt work out but i can safely say not one had puppies or was involved in making them as i got them all done even though i live on benefits due to being disabled!
At the moment i have an 8 month old staff and he is just adorable brilliant with the cats and kids.
People do need to neuter their pets not enough are being done,i nag family members to neuter their dogs and so far so good they listen and if they wont i would make them watch one of the films showing dogs stuck in cages without homes or a puppy farm hopefully that would persuade them.
Link to this comment
RSPCA July 15, 2008 at 8:58 a.m.
Just to reiterate what we have said earlier, The RSPCA does investigate allegations of cruelty - and we have successfully prosecuted puppy breeders and traders in the past where animal suffering has occurred.
We also pass on details of complaints we've received about puppy traders to local authorities so they too can investigate.
The RSPCA would like to see a change in the law and have submitted proposals to Defra highlighting the importance of a robust, enforceable traceability scheme for puppies. We have also urged the government in England to look at the licensing system being proposed in Scotland as a potential model for the future.
Link to this comment
puppyalert July 15, 2008 at 8:28 a.m.
Staffie and jules4daisy please both contact Essex Trading Standards this trader who you purchased your puppy from is in contempt of court for selling sick puppies, taken to Court by Essex Trading Standards and Office of Fair Trading at Southend County Court. Unfortunately Chelmsford Council licenses her as a pet shop each year this must be stopped. Give the evidence to both and it will help to take this trader back to Court. Please,forward your information to them and also to me at puppyalert2003@yahoo.co.uk by email and I will telephone you if you leave a contact number or you can complete my online questionnaire on the website (soon to be updated)
http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/puppy_alert/index.htm
Much info on this trader on my website and web journal.
Thank you RSPCA for your reply. Please reply with your answers to my questions on the above email or arrange a telephone conversation at your convenience to discuss my questions. Thank you.
Link to this comment
puppylove July 15, 2008 at 8:17 a.m.
And will the rest of us get to know the answers to puppy alerts questions ? Surely a public reply is called for ?
Link to this comment
RSPCA July 15, 2008 at 8:07 a.m.
Hi Puppy Alert
Thanks for your post. It is probably easier to discuss some of the points raised in your post - could you please therefore email your contact details to campaigns@rspca.org.uk and someone will give you call.
Thank you.
Link to this comment
jules4daisy July 14, 2008 at 9:44 p.m.
staffy
im so sorry for what has happened to you i bought daisy i sure its from the same place the end of september 2007 i went into the premises and was asked what dog i wanted i said it was the yorkie female the lady just put her in my arms ia asked to see all puppies she had she would not let me look i paid for daisy and she soaked her in flea spray daisy was 10 weeks old when i got her the lady said she had a family tree which was fake and had all jabs which 2 were fake.daisy was very sick all the way home i thought it was the journey and she did pick up i took her to the vets for a check up 2 days after getting her and they said she was underweight and had a slight fever they gave me medicine but by the friday daisy was being sick it was all blood and had blood when she went to the toilet she was rushed to the vets at First they thought she had parvo but thankfully she did not i took her jab sheet i was given by the pet shop seller and i was told these jabs did not excist so now daisy was very ill and had no jabs daisy was kept in the vets for 5 days and nearly did not make it she had phenomena daisy did pull though and is making up 4 it she is spoiled due to what she went though and my 2 other dogs adore her im just sorry your puppy did not make it.i to rang the lady who sold her to me but she was very rude and said it was my fault but i to have other dogs and they have been fine this stupid woman needs to be stopped im incontact with the rspca and have been since the day daisy fell ill i would tell anyone do not buy a puppy
(The remainder of this post has been removed in accordance with paragraph 6 & 7 of the terms & conditions. Please could all blog users be reminded to check the terms and conditions before posting on this site.)
Link to this comment
puppyalert July 14, 2008 at 9:14 p.m.
In response to the above reply by the RSPCA to Cushti
Why is the RSPCA sending details of complaints to local authorities and not dealing with the complaint directly themselves? The Animal Welfare Act 2006 is a 'common informer' Act which means that it is not only statutory enforcement agencies that can enforce the Act's provision. If any member of the public can enforce the provision, then surely the RSPCA can?
Therefore why is the RSPCA not entering licensed dog breeding establishments with or without a warrant and Council licensing officer if informed that the five freedoms are not being adhered to by a breeder?
Public awareness on the puppy trade and puppy farming has been going on for years, the message is not getting through. Just look at the ads selling multiple breeds of puppies in the free ads and on line. Those of use that keep up the awareness by web sites are getting very weary of the lack of action by Licensing officers, RSPCA and vets that keep ticking boxes and saying OK when inspecting these premises as we know differently.
Work with us and stop this trade by using the Act where it will make a difference in the breeding premises.
Telling people to not buy a puppy from a pet shop is not going to stop this trade. If it was then the cinema ads by Dogs Trust, Free Fido Campaign would have had the desired effect years ago.
If the RSPCA were to support Puppy Alert for a ban on puppies from being sold from a third party ie pet shop that will make a difference and the trade in puppy trafficking would decrease. Can the RSPCA explain why this would not be a better option?
Link to this comment
Whistler July 14, 2008 at 8:24 p.m.
Yeh, I think it's a case of shoot the messenger about this. The RSPCA shouldn't get grief for telling us how it is. It's the breeders and pet shops who put money before the puppies' best interests.
Link to this comment
animallover July 14, 2008 at 8:03 p.m.
I applaud the RSPCA for this campaign - if you don't tell people about the problem they will never know about it. And if it's the puppies that people are buying then its the puppies that they need to focus on.
It's really sad what happens to the parents and I agree that more needs to be done about it but I think there's some people posting on this site who seem to blame the RSPCA and they're not the ones being cruel to the dogs.
Well done RSPCA, you've got my thumbs up on this issue.
Link to this comment
puppylove July 14, 2008 at 5:10 p.m.
I think you are losing support here because you have hardly mentioned the terrible conditions the parent dogs live in and what you could do to help them now , not years down the line?
Raising awareness is not enough, people will always impulse buy the cute pup in the pet shop no matter how much you warn them not to. Todays generation want everything instantly and while they can buy pups this way they will. Also when they walk into some of these pet shops to be faced with a wall of photos of stupid celebrity satisfied customers means more than any words you or I can say ?
So how about a proper rethink , a really good plan we can all get behind with confidence ? Otherwise sorry to say I think you are on a loser. People really want to help these poor unfortunate dogs that are caged in breeding establishments day after day, old worn out, bred almost to death , sick and dying and they want to do it now as its long, long overdue.
Another point if the vets of this country are so concerned why do a lot of them service these dealers and breeders ?
http://www.dogs-r-us.org/
Link to this comment
sweet666 July 14, 2008 at 4:23 p.m.
raising awareness is all well and good as part of a strategy but ACTION speaks louder the words..it doesnt matter how many people are reached there will always be one who is either missed or is lured by a dog thats cheap and seeing as many of these puppies are sold under cutting a ethical breeder they are like beacons to naieve or tight bargin hunters...the amount of people who post wanted ads for pedigree dogs like chihuahua's and pomeraninas free or cheap is crazy. the breeding bitches and stud dogs are suffering so terribly right now while people are told about this...they need released from their prisons licenced brreders or not if the dogs are suffering they should be taken from these cruel pigs who use them for their own monatary value. its time to take action.
Link to this comment
A Dog's Life July 14, 2008 at 4:04 p.m.
One more point - how many of these traffickers have you stopped en route to check if they hold a licence for the transportation of animals?
Link to this comment
A Dog's Life July 14, 2008 at 3:59 p.m.
January 2006 Meeting held between Kennel Club, RSPCA and Dogs Trust was the first of a new group aimed at addressing the problem of what is sometimes called "puppy farming" was hailed a success.
How many hours did it take this eminent group to agree a definition of the term "puppy farming"
It was held to discuss the present and future roles of each organisation and
To develop a joint and co-ordinated strategy.
According to Caroline Kisco of the K.C. the meeting proved extremely beneficial and promised that the group would begin working on the initial action points agreed at the meeting . Further details of these discussiion will be made in due course.
That was the last we heard of it. Were any more discussion held or was it just another excuse for lunch on the expense account?
How many more meetings are to held between the national animal welfare parties before any action is taken?
There is no point in referring us to Cosumer Direct as we work directly with Licensing, Planning and Environmental Health. We would appreciate the names of breeding establishments that you have prosecuted. The RSPCA took over two years to prosecute a breeder in Abergavenny and it was only because of the media coverage that we had that you were obliged to act. Plus the fact that the MP for Monmouth had to waste his time writing to you.
Link to this comment
sweet666 July 14, 2008 at 3:36 p.m.
I totally agrre with what puppy love is saying in order to stop the trafficking the puppy farms which produce these puppies which are often near death due to the conditions they are bred in and the lack of care/vetinary attention/ vacinations they recieve. it not suprising that due to most of the puppies being ill alraedy many die in transit. if no farms exist to produce the puppies then the traficking will cease as a result, there are also far worse fates puppies can meet puppy farmed dogs are often traficked abroad and many end up in the horrific dog meat trade, I understand how hard it is to bring about prosecutions but something needs to be done even by restricting the number of breeds/litters are bred per year the number of times each bitch is mated , the retirement age each stud dog should be rehomed...and not killed as many farmers do once they have made all the money they can out of the dog and the way in whic breeders advertise/sell their puppies the government needs to wake up and put stricter laws in place so you can achieve more prosectutions and bring these sick sick people to justice.
Link to this comment
RSPCA July 14, 2008 at 2:18 p.m.
Hi Cushti
We work closely with local authorities. This includes passing on details of complaints we've received about puppy traders so they can investigate further. However local authorities are not obliged to seek assistance from us or any other animal welfare organisation to help with annual inspections.
We know this is a huge problem, but unfortunately current legislation allows for the trade in puppies to continue. Under the Animal Welfare Act secondary legislation there is opportunity for tighter regulations regarding the sale of puppies. The RSPCA has urged the government in England to look at a licensing scheme being proposed in Scotland as a potential model for the future.
We believe public awareness is the way forward at this present time to make people more aware of this trade and how they can avoid being caught out by the puppy traffickers.
Link to this comment
cushti July 14, 2008 at 1:50 p.m.
I’m sorry, but I see this as nothing more than a paper exercise for the RSPCA and as ‘A Dog’s Life’ states, “get the publicity, draw in even more donations and leave the pups and breeding bitches to suffer”.
You say, “The RSPCA does investigate allegations of cruelty - and we have successfully prosecuted puppy breeders and traders in the past where animal suffering has occurred”.
Then why are these puppy ‘breeders’ still in business? One in particular, from Wickford, in Essex has been prosecuted twice, and yet is still trading – despite numerous complaints to Essex Trading Standards.
I have adopted 2 ex-breeding dogs’ and have fostered many others’ from different breeding establishments though a rescue in South Wales. No matter what breed of dog, most show the same characteristics, fear, despair, depression, broken spirited and physiologically damaged. The first I adopted fell to the ground in sheer terror the first time she was out in the rain – even now after almost two years, she paces constantly and despite being rescued over a year ago the other, still visibly shakes if a person looks at her. These two dogs'are not one of the toy breeds, they are both Boxers.
I have said this before but, to know that the fear that has been instilled in these animals by man, is so great, it causes their bladder to involuntary release on your approach is one of the worse feelings I have ever had.
So why is it not possible for an RSPCA Inspector or a representative from another Animal Welfare Organisation to accompany a council official on their yearly inspections? I am sure any animal welfare/rescue would be only too pleased to offer their services without cost, or funded through their own organisation, where donations would be gladly made.
My long-running direct debit to the RSPCA was cancelled in protest to your apparent lack of interest in even acknowledging the existence of puppy farms’. It denies credibility that you can be that naive to state that these places are ‘An urban myth’.
We are all waiting...............
Link to this comment
Grace.Garner July 14, 2008 at 1:36 p.m.
Its terrible that such things are happening, i adore animals and have always had animal compainions. its so important that we know where our friends come from.
i have seen so many bitches just walking around my local park that have been abused or overbred. its terribly vital that these places are stopped and the public take notice.
its amazing what the RSPCA is doing and we all need to work together to stop this dreadful treatment.
Link to this comment
puppyl