Puppy trafficking

Results of an undercover investigation are to be unveiled by the RSPCA today to expose the grim realities of unethical 'puppy trafficking'.

As part of the campaign, undercover RSPCA officers test purchased six puppies - with two of the dogs found to have potentially fatal illnesses.

One, Chardonnay, a cavalier King Charles spaniel cross, was diagnosed with pneumonia but despite constant care she died two weeks later. Frank, a mastiff, had parvo virus, but was saved by vets.

The RSPCA believes this is just a snapshot of the whole worrying picture. Consumer Direct, the government advisory service, received more than 700 puppy-related calls in 2007, many of which concerned animals that became ill soon after purchase, or were not as described in adverts.

Mark Evans, RSPCA Chief Veterinary Adviser, said: "Puppy trafficking is a despicable, profit-driven business.  We want the dog-loving public to destroy the puppy trafficker's market.  If you're planning to buy a puppy, do your homework.  Question everything and make absolutely sure the puppy you buy has come from a loving, caring home.  Let common sense prevail and if something doesn't seem right, it probably isn't, so walk away."

A new survey shows that 73% of vets are concerned about the trade in puppies, or 'puppy trafficking', which sees about 1000 puppies a week imported from Ireland into Wales and then sold on further afield, via internet or newspaper advertising or by pet shops.

Yet in a new online survey only 2% of those who bought a puppy in the last three years believed it was from Ireland and 38% of those who bought a puppy from a pet shop said it got ill within a few months.

Real life experience

One owner who contacted the RSPCA, Garry Green from Feltham, bought a golden cocker spaniel puppy from a pet shop, but the puppy died three weeks later from a lung condition.

"When we got Alfie home he kept coughing and gagging as if he had something stuck in the back of his throat. In the following three weeks we went to the vets 29 times and spent about £1200 on vets' bills," said Garry.

"When we got him we didn't think about any of the potential problems. We fell in love with him and handed over the money."

RSPCA investigation

Tim Wass, Chief Officer of the RSPCA Inspectorate, said that in the cases of the two sick dogs test-purchased, undercover inspectors were told they had been vaccinated, when blood tests showed no evidence of this.

They were also asked to sign a disclaimer saying the dog must be checked by a vet within 48 hours, but not treated. Any treatment was to be carried out by the seller's vet, which the RSPCA believes is potentially suspicious.

"This investigation shows only a small snapshot of what's happening, but if these figures are multiplied to reflect the huge market for puppies in this country, then we are talking about a lot of sick dogs," he said.

RSPCA advice to consumers:

• Always try to see a puppy with its mother in the place where it was bred, and pay attention to the mother's size, health, personality and reaction to the puppy - is it the real mother? Ideally see the father too. If you can't see them, be suspicious
• Try to find out as much as possible about where the puppy has come from, and beware if the breeder is from outside the UK
• If you are told the puppy has been vaccinated, check the vaccination cards carefully. Be wary if the vet's contact details are not visible, or have an address outside the UK
• Pedigree certificates are never a guarantee for the condition of your puppy, and may not even mean you are buying a pure-bred dog
• Never buy from someone who offers to deliver your puppy or arranges to meet you somewhere
• As hard as it will be, never buy a puppy just because you feel sorry for it
• If something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't - use your common sense, and walk away
• If you are concerned about how you were sold the puppy, contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06
• If you have welfare concerns about puppies you have seen, contact the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999
• Always consider instead adopting a rescue dog from an animal welfare organisation.

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