Large scale, prolific puppy dealers in Aberdeen fled and dumped four cockapoos in a bush after being raided by the Scottish SPCA.
The Scottish SPCA was tipped off about a group of low welfare puppy breeders in the Aberdeen area last month.
A team made up of frontline inspectors and the charity’s special investigations unit raided the location the group was working out of, making them flee and dump four cockapoo puppies in a nearby bush.
They found that the group were large scale, prolific puppy dealers from Ireland who had set up shop in Aberdeen and the surrounding areas.
The Scottish SPCA became aware of the group after several reports from members of the public saying they had recently bought sick or dying dogs.
All four puppies that were rescued in the raid on October 29 have tested positive for giardia and are currently undergoing further tests for other contagious and potentially life-threatening diseases.
They are being kept in the SPCA rescue and rehoming centre while they receive treatment and build up strength.
How to avoid buying from low welfare breeders
Diseases are common in puppies that come from low welfare breeders, but could have been preventable with the right vaccinations.
Mums in these cases are often not strong enough to provide their pups with the essential nutrients they need to build up strong immune systems. This is because they might be weak from overbreeding or because their pups have been taken from them prematurely.
A special investigations unit inspector from the Scottish SPCA said this recent raid was successful in tracking down bad breeders.
They said: “This is a fantastic result. We successfully targeted prolific dealers in the Aberdeen area who we know have sold puppies who have sadly passed away.
“We are preparing a report for the Procurator Fiscal and we cannot provide any further details about this case at this time.”
They also explained how people can spot and avoid buying from groups like this: “These Irish gangs are dominating the low-welfare puppy industry in Scotland.
“Under no circumstances should someone meet a breeder to purchase a puppy or allow a pup to be dropped off. Do not accept any excuse, no matter how plausible it seems. These people are master manipulators and will try anything to make you believe they are legitimate and responsible breeders.
“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.”
#KeepMeOffYourXmasList
Between January and November this year, 1,059 calls were made to the Scottish SPCA regarding low welfare breeders. This is already a 34% increase from 2020, when 702 calls came in.
The team’s special investigations unit has already rescued 56 puppies from situations much like the one in Aberdeen in October.
The #KeepMeOffYourXmasList campaign, which aims to stop people and animals suffering as a result of buying sick or dying puppies from low-welfare breeders, has now launched.
The special investigations unit inspector explained that the demand for puppies is what enables groups like those operating out of Aberdeen to keep going, especially at this time of year.
They said: “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.
“The only reason that these dealers are able to operate is because of the demand for puppies. Puppies and their parents are suffering and dying due to this industry.
“We now need the public to act responsibly and not contribute to this appalling trade. Public demand will fuel this trade and as long as it does, bad dealers will find any means to operate.”