Dog’s Trust warning to avoid being ‘dogfished’
SHOCKING new statistics released by Dogs Trust have revealed how unsuspecting dog lovers in the area may have been conned or ‘dogfished’ into buying puppies illegally imported into the UK, leaving them heartbroken and almost £500 on average out-of-pocket.
The UK’s leading dog charity polled over 2,000 puppy owners to see how many buyers might have fallen victim to illegal puppy smuggling, where puppies are brought into the UK from central and eastern European countries to sell on for vast profits. Many described how sellers falsified paperwork, offered discounts for a quick sale or lied about the age and breed of the dog.
The consequences saw many owners face an average of almost £500 in additional vet bills and some said their puppy had either died or had to be put to sleep, due to the severity of their condition.
Beth Walsh, a photographer from Loughborough, first met smuggled Yorkshire Terrier Jet while photographing him and his eight siblings after they arrived in Dogs Trust’s care as part of the Puppy Pilot scheme whereby Dogs Trust works with border authorities, caring for smuggled puppies that have been intercepted at the border.
The tiny nine, discovered in shoeboxes in the back of a vehicle coming in from Slovakia, were just eight weeks’ old when they arrived in the UK and they clearly made a lasting impression on Beth.
She said: “I often do photoshoots involving smuggled puppies for Dogs Trust but there was just something different about meeting these little guys; you meet them and you just want to do what you can to help them. I went back to see them and, once they had left quarantine, I knew I wanted to adopt one – and could see Jet was a strong character with a big personality, taking everything in his little stride. I knew he was the one to have lots of adventures with.
“I adopted him from Dogs Trust Loughborough so I knew his background but people that buy online don’t know what they are buying and may be being duped into buying a poorly puppy which would be heart breaking. Also unknowingly they could be supporting the horrific illegal puppy smuggling trade.”
To help prevent prospective owners from being misled into buying dogs that may not be what they seem, Dogs Trust has today launched a new campaign: ‘Don’t Be Dogfished’.
Jack Johnstone, Dogs Trust regional manager, said: “we’re launching a campaign warning people ‘Don’t be dogfished’ – to help stop people being duped into buying puppies that have been illegally imported into the country by devious dealers.
“People think they are getting a healthy, happy puppy but behind the curtain lurks the dark depths of the puppy smuggling trade. Many of these poor puppies suffer significant health conditions or lifelong behavioural challenges, and sadly some don’t survive, leaving their buyers helpless and heartbroken – as well as out of pocket.”
The Don’t Be Dogfished campaign is asking potential new owners to take the following steps to avoid being misled when buying a puppy:
at their home and make sure to visit more than once.
you see all vital paperwork, such as a puppy contract – which gives lots of information about their parents, breed, health, diet, the puppy’s experiences and more.
- sured to buy, as hard as it may be, walk away and report the seller.
For more information about the Don’t Be Dogfished campaign and advice about how to avoid being misled when buying a puppy advertised online, search ‘Dogfished’ or visit www.dogstrust.org. uk/dogfished