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New rules on how puppies are sold in the UK could mean islanders will have to make longer, more expensive trips to collect their new furry friend.
Choosing to bring a dog into your life is not only a big decision but it can be a daunting one - especially as there is a heightened risk of islanders unknowingly falling victim to the dark underworld of puppy farming - due to having to shop online because of the limited number of breeders on-island.
"The puppy farming industry is a problem to which Jersey is not immune” said the founder of the Jersey Dog Forum Facebook Page, Carla Channing. She told Express: "Some of the better breeders aren’t keen on homing their dogs across the waters so the opportunities to acquire dogs which are bred with the future wellbeing of the dog and their breed in mind (rather than someone’s pocket) can be that bit more tricky…Within the last couple of years we have become informed that puppies from well known puppy farming areas have been offered for sale from car parks within the island. However, we are sure that many more are sold puppies where there is a sudden change of plan or the breeder is running late and will have to meet the buyer half way, and of course the mother is not available.”
The problem also being encountered by our neighbours. The GSPCA Manager, Steve Bryne said every year they are made aware of puppies that have been: "sourced in ways that could mean that they have come from puppy farms or sources where the animals welfare is extremely concerning.” The issues of which were seen first hand when the GSPCA took in 25 Slovakian puppies that were stopped at Guernsey harbour in 2015 as they were being smuggled in filthy conditions.
Now the UK Prime Minister has announced new restrictions on how dogs are bred and the pups are sold in a bid to crackdown on unethical breeding methods and puppy farming. Theresa May's new tighter controls - which are due to come into force this year - will mean puppies will only be sold in the presence of the new owner, and the mother of the puppy must also be there. This is to try and ensure puppies are only sold by licensed breeders and not by those who trade in puppy smuggling, and to stop online sales where the prospective new owners have not seen the animal first.
My Government is developing proposals to crack down on puppies being reared in unhealthy circumstances by unscrupulous breeders who have a total disregard for their welfare. It’s absolutely right we do everything we can to eradicate animal cruelty from our society. pic.twitter.com/jXe4FiyNdw
— Theresa May (@theresa_may) December 22, 2017
Announcing these new rules, the Prime Minister said: "Any unscrupulous mistreatment of animals is disturbing – so in our drive to achieve the highest animal welfare standards in the world, we continually look at what more can be done. The arrival of a happy, healthy puppy, as I know myself, is a memorable time for a family – but it’s absolutely right we do everything we can to eradicate animal cruelty from our society. The proposals my government is developing will be an important step forward."
While the new rules will enhance the safety and health of our loveable furry companions - something every animal lover should support - it will change how islanders buy and collect their puppies from the UK. Currently most new dog owners make the journey over to collect the puppy, but not all go to the breeders address once they are there - as witnessed by a Jersey pilot who has collected over 100 dogs from the UK.
The pilot - who wishes to remain anonymous - told Express that some islanders would leave the airport and return a couple of hours later with the new dog, while others arranged to meet the breeder at the airport. Of the pick-ups he did witness at the airport, he said most of the breeders would sit down with the new owners for about an hour at the airport to go through all the documents that come with the puppy and that "they are sad to see the dog go – that’s a good tell.”
The pilot added “most people are quite diligent”, but one trip to collect a puppy does stick in his mind because he felt uneasy. “There was one occasion that was a bit strange when I did a trip to Wales. A burly old farmer turned up and just said ‘here’s your dog, thanks, bye’ like it was a car boot sale. That’s not normal at all.”
The RSPCA have warned islanders against meeting breeders at airports: "While it may be easier for people living in the Channel Islands to buy a puppy over the internet from a breeder in England and arrange collection by meeting at an airport it is extremely risky as there is no guarantee that dog has been properly cared for and will be happy and healthy.
"Many puppies are illegally imported into England & Wales before being sold on by dealers or are bred in awful conditions in 'puppy farms'. These puppies are often taken away from their mothers too early, have been born and raised in horrendous conditions without the necessary diet, vaccinations or socialisation. Many puppies bought from these environments fall ill - and, tragically, some die within days or weeks of going home - or may face serious behavioural issues in later life.”
But it’s not just those looking for a cute little puppy who are duped by unscrupulous dog sellers according to Carla: "We have also noticed a people fall for the rescue pup story which pulls on the heart strings and can provide convenient excuses as to why the mother isn’t around. People need to be vigilant. We have been told by many proud people that they have 'rescued' their puppy from a puppy farm, but the truth is that those who have paid for a pup bred by an unscrupulous breeder have contributed to the problem regardless of their intentions.
"It doesn’t matter how great a life can be offered to that puppy, because it’s mother’s life will be one of misery fuelled by that decision to buy and the next pup will be along soon. Sadly we find that pointing out the cost of dealing with health and behaviour problems which the background of the pups can contribute to has more of an effect on people’s decision to do more research than the mother’s plight. We welcome any measures aimed at addressing and raising awareness of the problem. Islanders in general need to ask more questions when acquiring pups whether bred locally or otherwise.”
Both the JSPCA and the GSPCA have welcomed the new regulations, which also orders every advert to include details of the sellers licence number and where they live.
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