A leading animal charity has been left with a colossal seven-figure bill to look after animals caught up in court red-tape.
The Scottish SPCA have called on the Scottish Government to follow through on promises to give it more powers to rehome pets faster.
Animals seized by the Dunfermline-based organisation – such as soaring numbers of dogs bred by dodgy puppy farms – are kept in temporary accommodation until legal action against the dealers is resolved.
The charity can only rehome them after a court order is made or the puppy breeder signs them over.
But with each pedigree pup worth between £1000 and £5000, most unscrupulous dealers are reluctant to sanction passing the pooches on until they have no option.
The Scottish SPCA said it has spent more than £3.7million on temporary refuge for animals caught up in court cases since 2016, with dogs spending on average 84 days in kennels before they can find them a “forever” home.
Scottish SPCA chief superintendent Mike Flynn said: “Any animal involved in legal proceedings cannot be rehomed unless it is signed over to our care or we obtain a court order.
"We are hopeful the changes to legislation will come in to effect soon as our centres are close to capacity caring for these animals.
“This year the society has provided temporary refuge for 2039 animals. Many animals involved in legal proceedings spend months or even years in our care.
“While our amazing teams provide first-class treatment for these animals, a centre is no substitute for a loving home environment.”
Last year the Scottish Government introduced the Animal and Wildlife Act, which made sentences for animal cruelty tougher, with up to five years in jail and unlimited fines.
But rules that allow authorities to deal more quickly with animals seized haven’t been rubber-stamped by ministers.
One of the biggest puppy farm raids by the Scottish SPCA was in 2017, when its officers seized 100 dogs from an Aberdeenshire farm run by Frank James.
In 2019 James, 54, was sentenced to nine months in jail for running what was believed to be Scotland’s biggest puppy farm near Fyvie.
The Scottish Government said they expected the final elements of the Animals and Wildlife Act to come into force in autumn. The new powers will include an innovative approach to swiftly resolve emergency animal welfare situations.
