BRED FOR DISASTER Dangerous dogs being created says charity chief PSNI warns of buying a puppy this Christmas

YESTERDAY

BACKYARD breeders are creating dangerously big crosses that aren’t designed to be pets, a rescue charity has revealed.

Assisi Animal Sanctuary chief Nigel Mason said it increasingly sees large dogs – including husky, malamute and mastiff crosses – weighing an average of 70kg and with a “propensity for a short fuse”.

He added: “The bigger the dog, the greater the jaw strength and therefore the greater the damage they achieve if they attack people or dogs.

“The way they’re bred it’s usually on the cheap, it’s done so badly they’re not properly socialised and that then manifests in behavioural issues.”

Mr Mason revealed the dogs dumped at rescue centres’ doors are sometimes unwell pups.

The Co Down organisation spends on average £700 on each of the 300 pooches it takes in a year but that can stretch to four figures depending on the breed and health of the animal.

Mr Mason said: “They [illicit breeders] breed them to death effectively or they offload them into the pounds or directly into rescue centres and we’re left with an animal that has just had a terrible life that doesn’t know how to be a pet so we have to spend a huge amount of time and money.”

ARRESTS

The warning came as animal lovers thinking of buying a puppy for Christmas were urged by police to be cautious.

The Paws For Thought multiagency campaign aims to raise awareness ahead of an increased demand for dogs as presents.

In recent weeks, the PSNI seized 31 animals and made two arrests during a search operation in the Mid Ulster area.

Insp Joanne Gibson said: “Many people start their search for a new puppy online and the campaign aims to raise awareness that buyers are more likely to buy an illegally bred puppy than they think.

“Now we want to raise awareness around what to look out for when buying a puppy.

“We know that irresponsible breeders, or sellers, can offer puppies for sale.

“These people may not have looked after the puppies properly and may only be interested in making as much money as possible.

“This could mean you end up buying a puppy that is very sick, or a puppy that has not been properly socialised.

“Often these puppies die a short time after purchase or end up with infectious diseases.”

Puppies were found in Co Tyrone Owning a dog requires a lot of work

Large dogs are particularly strong