Don’t buy, rehome

Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, Roseanna Cunningham, said if people rehomed animals from shelters instead of buying from puppy farmers it would hit the illegal trade hard.

The MSP said the issue was tough to crack and while legislation was part of the solution, a concerted effort by the public to avoid such disreputable traders was key.

She added:“We should be under no illusions. The movement of dogs between Northern Ireland and Scotland will not be easy to disrupt.

“There are no animal health restrictions on the free movement of pet animals between these parts of the UK, just as there are no restrictions on movements of dogs to Scotland from England or Wales, although poor welfare conditions in transit can be dealt with when detected.

“When the research concludes, we should be better placed to influence the illegal trade in puppies, whether imported or native born, by working to reduce the size of the market and the opportunities for sellers.

“We will also continue to work with the pet advertising advisory group and support its efforts in this area, which seem to be having some effect in encouraging more responsible advertising of animals.

“We are also consulting with local authorities and animal welfare organisations.

“However, the key message remains that the illegal trade in puppies from Ireland and elsewhere could be seriously disrupted if every single puppy buyer first considers rehoming an animal from a centre in Scotland, or, if they must buy a puppy, insist they always see it first with its mother at the breeder’s premises, and, remember that a dog is for life, not just for Christmas.”