Scottish
SPCA welcomes new bill
The
Transportation and Sale of Puppies (Scotland) Bill, being
launched in the Scottish Parliament today (25th November)
by Christine Grahame MSP, is the first step in providing much
needed protection for puppies being transported and sold in
Scotland.
Scottish SPCA Parliamentary Officer, Libby Anderson stated:
"Puppies are big business but they can also be bad business.
The current lack of regulation and the high value puppies
can fetch mean that these defenceless young animals are open
to exploitation. Turnover and profit are pursued at the expense
of the puppies' welfare.
"The proposed Bill, which has received cross party support,
will help regulate this trade by introducing tough new measures
safeguarding the health and welfare of each animal."
There has been growing concern over the number of puppies
being imported from Ireland. In a recent case, a puppy dealer
named John Walsh was fined only £500 after being stopped
at the ferry terminal at Cairnryan in July with a car crammed
with 49 puppies. Only last week another vehicle stopped at
Stranraer was discovered to be crammed with 102 puppies apparently
destined for the Scottish market.
The Scottish SPCA is very aware of the problems associated
with this trade, often receiving complaints from the new owners
of the pups. Scottish SPCA Superintendent Mike Flynn highlighted
some of the problems:
"Each year hundreds, if not thousands, of puppies are
transported from Ireland in cramped conditions and sold in
breeding establishments, lay-bys and car parks across Scotland.
"The poor breeding and transport conditions, together
with the lack of proper veterinary care, mean these young
puppies have a very difficult start in life."
In all the complaints that the Scottish SPCA has received
about puppies originating from Southern Ireland, the puppies
have had an exceptionally high worm infestation, almost all
had some form of enteritis (inflammation of stomach and bowel)
and there has been a high incidence of the potentially deadly
parvo virus.
"It is often the case that the puppies are sold within
hours of arriving in Scotland and it is the new owners who
are faced with expensive vet bills and sometimes the heartache
of losing a new pet.
"There is currently no legislation regulating this trade."
Clarify
The
police and Scottish SPCA have made prosecutions under the
Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997, and animal cruelty
legislation, nevertheless, too many cases are falling through
the net. This Bill will clarify the law and provide extra
protection for these young animals."
Becky's story ‘Becky, a Jack Russell cross’,
is that of just one of the hundreds of puppies that are
transported from Ireland each year.
One week after being sold, Becky developed enteritis and
suffered from severe diarrhoea, vomiting and worms; she
also developed skin problems. Becky has been rehomed by
a loving family who have taken on the responsibility for
her health problems.
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