Sick spike in illegal pups

THOUSANDS of puppies are being smuggled into Britain before Christmas – in “shocking conditions”.

The charity Dogs Trust described the nearly 100 puppies seized in a week as the “tip of the iceberg”.

Demand for breeds such as pugs and dachshunds fuels the “sickening trade”.

Pups only four weeks old resort to eating faeces as they head across Europe.

The Trust warned of the emotional and financial costs of buying illegal dogs “if they fall ill or die”.