Warning over puppy dealers' criminal tactics

Disreputable puppy sellers are going to great lengths to cover their tracks, experts say

Irresponsible dog breeders are using disreputable selling tactics to target unsuspecting buyers, a council has warned.

There are fears over a growth in "well-organised" breeding operations in County Durham, where puppy purchasers have been told to be on their guard against criminal activity.

Durham County Council told the BBC breeders are changing names, using fake addresses and "obtaining dogs by deception" to breed.

The Kennel Club said it is "deeply concerned" about unscrupulous people producing puppies for profit.

Durham council chiefs called illegal breeding an "organised criminal activity" and said breeders operating in the area were using a variety of methods to avoid suspicion from buyers and detection by enforcement agencies.

Common tactics include:

• Regularly changing names and phone numbers to avoid being recognised

• Placing puppies in a domestic setting to sell them, to convince buyers they were bred in a home rather than a puppy farm

• Working from temporary addresses

• Obtaining dogs by deception to breed

Ian Harrison, the authority's business compliance strategy manager, said: "Illegal dog breeding attracts organised criminals who are more than willing to put profits ahead of animal welfare.

"Rogue sellers know people can fall in love with puppies very quickly and take advantage of this."

He said buying from illegal dog breeders encouraged the trade to continue and meant more animals would suffer poor care and conditions.

'Horrific conditions'

Kennel Club research carried out last year found a significant proportion of dog owners suspect their pet originated from a puppy farm.

Bill Lambert, head of health, welfare and breeder services at the organisation, said disreputable breeders are using increasingly sophisticated methods to "remain under the radar and con unsuspecting puppy buyers".

"Crooks can easily disguise horrific breeding conditions, sell poorly puppies to unsuspecting new owners who don't know their true background, and then disappear without a trace."

Mr Lambert said prospective puppy buyers could help to put profiteering traders out of business by doing research and ensuring they "buy a dog responsibly".

"Owners should always be prepared to wait and when choosing a puppy should ask the breeder plenty of questions," he said.

"They should see the puppy with its mum, in its breeding environment and receive the necessary paperwork, including vaccination information and health tests."