Demand for designer pups drives rise in cruelty cases
The menace of puppy farming is a growing problem as demand for “designer” dogs soars. The Sunday Post has led the way in highlighting concerns over the industry, exposing how puppy farmers in Ireland pocket an estimated £20 million a year from trade with Scotland, and also showing some of the poor conditions for dogs in this country.
SNP MSP Christine Grahame is preparing to bring forward plans for a new law which would make it a requirement for anyone who breeds and sells dogs to either have a license or be registered with authorities. Among recent highprofile cases, millionaire landlord Chris Gorman was fined £2,600 and banned from keeping animals for life for keeping puppies and dogs in appalling conditions on his property in Lanarkshire. Elsewhere, Jaimie Colquhoun, from Dundee, was last year ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid work under an 18-month community payback order after the 26-yearold was found guilty of importing and selling puppies from Ireland which the SSPCA said had been cruelly farmed
An undercover SSPCA inspector said, “There has been a significant increase in the number of puppies being sold in the UK in recent years. “This is down to such a high demand for ‘designer’ dogs and not enough legal puppy breeders which means that the gap is being filled by unscrupulous puppy dealers.
“The biggest problem we have is puppy dealers supplementing the demand by bringing a litter of pups over from Ireland for £300-£400 and then selling each puppy on for around £750.
“There is massive profit to be made by selling these sick, ill and often injured pups who can end up with behavioural problems as a result of the intensive breeding regimen.
“Individuals will often travel to and from Ireland concealing pups in any way they can. “Once in Scotland these pups will be sold very quickly and often will they become unwell in their new homes.
“This is due to the stress of a new environment, putting pressure on their immune system, so any underlying infection surfaces and causes real health problems. “This leaves new owners with a very sick puppy who needs to go to the vet quickly.
“It is important to remember puppies bred here in Scotland can also be subject to horrendous conditions and it is not uncommon for dogs to be intensively bred.
“This is why we urge the public to ensure they always see the premises where the puppy was born and ask to see the mother, too. “Reputable breeders will always have more questions than you.”