Watch out for criminals in booming puppy trade
ONLY 14 months ago a Labrador puppy from an excellent breeder with all his/her Kennel Club papers would cost you £800. Today the same puppy would be £3,000.
Some breeds like miniature Dachshunds are fetching as much as £4,000 (more than four times their price pre-pandemic). Even rescue dogs are changing hands for £500.
The demand for dogs of all colours, shapes and breeds has gone ballistic.
The unfortunate downside of all this puppy love is that the puppy business is attracting a better class of criminal.
It used to be a casual crime committed by opportunist small time offenders.
Not any more.
Serious criminals have now turned their attention on the puppy business.
These are not amateurs but professional crooks.
Stealing an entire litter of pups can be worth £40,000 to a seasoned criminal and it’s easy money.
There is no great security surrounding puppies.
A skilled gang can have those puppies sold in 24 hours.
It’s that easy.
The booming dog market has also attracted unscrupulous breeders with puppy farms producing as many pups as they can from worn out bitches.
So…before you buy a puppy do your homework. Check out the breeder.
How long have they been in business?
Are they Kennel Club registered?
Are the puppies registered?
Contact the Kennel Club and ask about the breeder.
Once you have your puppy make sure he/she is never left out in the garden to run around on his own. It’s far too easy to take a puppy left alone.
Thieves are now stealing dogs to order so beef up your security. Do not leave him/her in an unattended car, not even for a few minutes.
All pups need to be microchipped so get it done ASAP. It’s your proof of ownership in any dispute.
Please enjoy your puppy just be aware that they are a lot more attractive to the criminal fraternity than ever before.
YOU can find more help and training advice at vicbarlow.com.