‘Puppies suffering with huge demand’

I AM a volunteer for a local dog rescue, Animal Lifeline. On request from a trustee, I was asked to pick up a puppy from an address a couple of weeks ago.

The puppy had been purchased by a young, well meaning couple. They had bought the puppy after seeing an advert on ‘Pets for Homes’ on the internet.

They contacted the ‘breeder’ using this site and subsequent communications were done using Whats App.

The couple decided to go ahead with the purchase of a Sharpei puppy – the cost was £900.

The breeder asked the couple to send the money directly to their bank account and they would then drop off the puppy.

The breeder arrived in a van, handed over the puppy, with no paperwork to confirm chipping or vaccinations, and left.

The couple got concerned as the puppy didn’t open his eyes and kept walking into furniture.

They rang the breeder straight away. They said they wouldn’t return to get the puppy, there was nothing wrong with it, after this any

calls from the couple were blocked.

The couple contacted vets with their concerns, but were unable to fund any veterinary treatment.

They contacted Animal Lifeline and agreed to hand the puppy over as they were not in a position to pay for vet treatment. The puppy has been seen by the vet.

The eyelids have had to be stitched open, and an infection poured out of the eye sockets. Until the infection is cleared up, we don’t know what the state of his eyesight is.

The sad fact is this puppy has been lucky – he is with a knowledgeable foster carer and a team of people who are now committed to his care.

The breeder would appear untraceable. The couple have had a terrible experience and are £900 worse off. Worse still is the suffering these puppies and breeding dogs have to endure.

We are very conscious that whilst there is a market there will always be people willing to supply.

Elisabeth Potts Animal Lifeline