Fashion fuelling the unregulated puppy trade
The RSPCA found 19 English bulldogs, French bulldogs and pugs being imported via Dover in 2013. All of the dogs had respiratory problems and various infections.
A high level of demand for 'fashionable' dog breeds is fuelling the unregulated puppy trade, the RSPCA has said after a new report reveals the demand far outweighs the number of pups coming from reputable sources.
The charity's new report says the Kennel Club registers about 235,000 pups a year, which is estimated to be just 30 per cent of all the young dogs sold annually.
Another 70,000 come from the UK's 895 licensed breeders, while 50,000 dogs are rehomed through rescue organisations (although only about 3,000 of these are thought to be puppies). Just 3-5 per cent of puppies are sold from commercial pet shops.
This leaves 30,000 puppies being imported from the continent and 40,000 from Ireland, the report claims. A staggering 430,000 are believed to come from unlicensed breeders. A fifth of pups are obtained from neighbours or friends who breed by accident or as an extra source of income.
These figures indicate that around 770,000 puppies are coming to market each year, though the RSPCA says the real figure could be double this.
The past decade has seen a soaring demand for 'designer' and 'hand bag' dogs such as French bulldogs, pomeranians, shih tzus, Yorkies and pugs, which has led to a rise in the number of puppies being registered with the Kennel Club.
Last year more than 10,000 pugs were registered, a five-fold increase in the past 10 years. Meanwhile, over 14,600 French bulldogs were registered, which is a 40-fold increase in the same time frame.
"It is unclear if this demand for these specific breeds can be met from existing registered breeders within the UK, but what is clear is that the puppy dealers are one step ahead of the regulators and have already responded to these changing demands and are sourcing these breeds from overseas or large scale commercial puppy farms," said David Bowles, the RSPCA's assistant director of public affairs.
The charity says it is already seeing the welfare implications of this issue. In 2013, for example, it found 19 English bulldogs, French bulldogs and pugs (pictured) being imported via Dover. All of the dogs had respiratory problems and various infections.
In light of the recent report, the charity is renewing its calls to Westminster to introduce laws to tackle the puppy trade, including compulsory licensing for anyone selling puppies.
Image © RSPCA
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