The Scottish SPCA has renewed calls urging South Lanarkshire residents to buy puppies safely.
The call comes after the charity was contacted about four puppies sold by suspected puppy dealers, two of which have passed away with a third unwell.
Now the charity’s special investigations unit has launched enquiries amidst escalating reports of puppy farming.
Scottish SPCA chief superintendent Mike Flynn said: “The combination of coronavirus restrictions and extortionate prices of puppies is being manipulated by puppy traders selling badly bred dogs.
“There are things we would urge any buyer to do, such as insist on seeing the pup they are buying at the seller’s home or premises with their mum.
“At the moment, we know many dealers are telling unsuspecting members of the public to meet them in a car park or public space to pass over the dog safely.
“The seller will often be wearing a mask and afterwards they are impossible to get a hold of when the pup gets sick.”
Chief Superintendent Flynn said puppy prices had “skyrocketed in 2020” as responsible breeders scaled back due to the restrictions imposed because of the pandemic.
That paved the way for dealers to charge more than before, selling more easily than they were previously able to.
He added: “The root of this problem is public demand.
“As we approach Christmas, we are frightened by the prospect of the general public flocking to these people to buy sick and ill puppies.
“The onus is on every single person in Scotland to put this despicable trade out of business.
“Of these four dogs, three were sold by the dealer taking the dog to the buyer’s home and the other was given a fake address which turned out to be a car park.
“You should never purchase a pup in a public place or at your own home.”
Inspectors from the Scottish SPCA have launched 78 investigations into reports of puppy farming in October alone amid growing concerns about the trade.
Their animal helpline has fielded 523 calls from people with concerns about puppy farming so far in 2020 and it is believed dealers are using coronavirus restrictions to confuse buyers into parting with significant amounts of cash due to the inflated prices of dogs.
Anyone who believes they come into contact with a puppy dealer can call the Scottish SPCA’s animal helpline in confidence on 03000 999 999.
For more information on buying a puppy safely, visit www.saynotopuppydealers.co.uk.
