An animal welfare charity is urging people across Falkirk to keep puppies off their Christmas list to Santa this year, as part of a new campaign.
The Scottish SPCA 'Keep Me Off Your Christmas List' campaign is to stop people and animals suffering as a result of buying sick or dying puppies from low-welfare breeders.
From January to October this year - 1,059 calls were made to the animal helpline regarding low-welfare puppy breeding.
This is compared to 702 calls in 2020, which is a 34% increase in just a year.
56 puppies have been seized so far this year by the charity's special investigations unit. 150 puppies were saved from the low-welfare industry in 2020.
A SSPCA spokesperson, who cannot be named due to the type of work they do, said: "Bad puppy dealers are still using the pandemic restrictions to trick the public. We are urging the public to be vigilant when buying a puppy and not to accept any excuse not to see the puppy with mum.
"We would always advise adopting over buying a pet but those with their hearts set on buying a puppy should do their research and make sure they are buying from a responsible breeder.
"Although you may have to wait slightly longer, you will be getting a happy and healthy dog.
"We would advise that members of the public visit our #KeepMeOffYourXmasList webpage to find out how to spot a low-welfare breeder.
"Puppies are not presents and buying one should not be decided on a whim."
