We’ve seen dogs from puppy farms that are in such a mess we’ve not filmed them
Paul O’grady demands law shake-up
PAUL O’grady has told of his horror at seeing pups so appallingly neglected that their suffering could not be filmed for his hit animal rescue series.
The campaigning comedian was so shocked by some of the scenes he has witnessed while making Paul O’grady: For The Love Of Dogs he is calling on the Government to hit profiteering puppy farmers and animal abusers with tougher penalties.
Paul, 65, said: “Puppy farming is big business and everyone has wanted a dog in lockdown.
“But the judicial system is getting away with murder. The Government’s attitude is, ‘It’s only a dog, or a cat’, but they need to wise up as these animals are so important to people. They have to introduce much stiffer sentences for abusing animals. I know people have been desperate for a dog but I don’t know why they haven’t learnt.”
Paul witnessed some of the cruelty dogs face while filming at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. He said: “It’s a horrific business. Puppies are taken away from their mother far too early and are riddled with disease.”
The Radio 2 star met a pair of Maltese terriers that staff believe were puppy-farmed – and which a family had paid £4,000 for.
And the centre also helped a three-month-old spaniel-cross covered from head to toe with mites, also suspected to be a victim of unscrupulous traders.
Other dogs were in such bad condition they could not be filmed. Paul said: “We once had a van full of puppies turn up and they had eye infections, nobody had bothered to care for them, and they were blind from overbreeding. Some were so bad the vet had to remove their eyes.
“The Government doesn’t realise a dog is part of the family. We all have to do our bit in caring for them.” Over the past year, staff have also looked after dogs heartbroken families have been forced to give up after falling on hard times amid the economic ravages of the pandemic.
Paul said: “I’ve seen people in floods of tears bringing dogs in because they’ve lost their house and gone into a rental where they can’t take a dog in.
“Times are hard. There are people who can’t feed their kids and there’s no shame if people can’t cope. My advice to anyone would be to bite the bullet. Take your dog in to a shelter but don’t abandon them.
“Battersea aren’t judgemental at all. All they are concerned about is the dog but it really helps to know their history.”
One rottweiler, Jenny, was given up after 13 years with a family and is seen nervously trying to adjust to new people and the home.
The Scottish SPCA animal welfare charity has had a dramatic surge in calls about unwanted animals – with 136,000 logged in 2020.
And the price of puppies has reportedly more than doubled in the pandemic, to almost £1,900 on average. Charities warned that this would encourage puppy farming, smuggling or dog theft.
A Government-backed bill that would raise the maximum jail term for animal cruelty from six months to five years passed through the Commons last month.
Meanwhile, Paul has lifted spirits in the past year – which he admits has driven him to “near insanity” – by posting snaps of his own animals on Instagram and singing to his chicken, Patty.
The star, who has also been busy writing a new children’s book due out in September, said: “I was hoping to put a smile on people’s faces.”
■
Pups were overbred and blind. A vet had to remove
their eyes