The number of puppies smuggled into the UK by crime gangs ahead of Christmas is feared to be booming.
Last week 25 puppies were caught at British ports by a charity, five times the usual number.
And the Dogs Trust believes this is the tip of the iceberg as tens of thousands of underage dogs may not be intercepted by its puppy pilot scheme.
It expects interest in young dogs to soar, as it did last year. Then weekly online searches for “buy a puppy” soared from an average of 95,659 to 137,499 just before Christmas.
Designer breeds such as pugs, pomeranians, dachshunds and French bulldogs are some of the most Googled.
Adam Clowes, Dogs Trust Director of Operations, said: “If you look at the top 10 breeds people are searching online for, that is what you see coming through the ports.
“You don’t have to be Einstein to make the connection.”
Criminal gangs can make huge profits over Christmas, charging up to £1,800 for an unvaccinated pup yet to see a vet. A litter can net them £17,000.
Most have endured squalid conditions in countries such as Romania and Lithuania followed by trips of over 33 hours in cramped cages, with little food or water.
Many have fake papers allowing far younger puppies to be imported.
From April, Lucy’s Law, campaigned for by the Daily Mirror, will thwart puppy farms by making it illegal for anyone other than the dog breeder to sell puppies.
The Dogs Trust has seen a worrying increase in the number of pregnant dogs coming into the country. Mr Clowes said: “Some of the pregnant dogs gave birth within 24 hours of care. They should not be travelling in that state. It’s not safe for mums or pups.”
The Trust is urging people to buy dogs from responsible breeders and avoid buying them as Christmas presents to ensure they are not fuelling the trade.
According to experts gangs can make more in Britain per puppy than anywhere else in Europe thanks to our love of dogs.
