MP urges people to protect pups in run up to Christmas

Stirling MP Stephen Kerr is urging shoppers to buy puppies from reputable sellers in the run-up to Christmas.

The advice comes as the Dog’s Trust encourage shoppers to be careful about who they purchase their pets from.

Last year, Mr Kerr visited Bandeath Dog Shelter near Stirling to promote the Dogs’Trust campaign to support reputable breeders and shelters.

Those purchasing dogs from other sources run the risk of purchasing pets that have been smuggled.

Smuggled puppies tend to be brought into the country in cages from Eastern European farms, neglected and deprived of nutrition.

Illegal imports of puppies reaches its peak during the Christmas period, and the Dog’s Trust has been campaigning to expose these practices since 2014.

Mr Kerr said:“Last year, a record number of puppies were rescued at the UK border. Unfortunately, this trade continues as the demand for designer dogs is increasing. Whenever you might be thinking of seeking out a dog please make sure you are happy that the dealer is reputable or visit your local shelter and give a dog that really needs it a loving home. Consumer power can defeat puppy smuggling, as long as we are all aware of the horrible conditions that these puppies are put through to get here and only get dogs from sources you can trust.”