Essentially Local March-April 17

Community
A cruel trade
Milton Keynes Trading Standards are
warning prospective dog purchasers
to beware of buying from illegal
puppy dealers.
Puppies that are often too young to
leave their mothers are being illegally
imported from farms across Europe.
Their long journeys to the UK leave
many seriously ill or dead within days
of being sold. Traders often breed
dogs without a licence, mis-describe
them and advertise them as Kennel
Club registered when they are not.
Before buying a puppy, Milton
Keynes Trading Standards recommend
that you ask your vet for information
about reputable breeders or rehoming
centres. The local Council can also
confirm if a dog breeder holds a
current breeder’s licence.
Always visit the premises where you
are buying from and look for clues
that will tell you how the animals are
treated:
• Look for food bowls and bedding
and check if the puppy knows its
surroundings – it might not have
been born and brought up there.
• Ask to see the puppies with their
mum and check that she is healthy
and happy with her pups.
• Look at the certificates of
vaccinations and microchipping
records.
• Check for any signs of illness.
• Avoid anywhere that advertises the
sale of a variety of breeds.
• Spend plenty of time with the
puppy – do not allow yourself to be
rushed.
Imported puppies
Imported puppies should be at
least 15 weeks old, as vaccines
are only effective from this age.
Younger imported puppies must go
into quarantine to ensure diseases
like rabies are not brought into the
country; however as new owner you
could be liable by law to pay a release
fee of up to £1,000. Imported puppies
should have a pet passport showing a
rabies vaccination was given at least
21 days before being imported. This
ensures it will be effective.
Time to report if you:
• See suspicious activity like different
puppies frequently being brought
in and out of a particular house or
location;
• Hear sounds of dogs barking
or whining from houses visited
regularly by different people;
• Notice lots of puppies are being
sold.
Report it to Trading Standards by
calling Consumer Direct on 03454
040506. If you bought a puppy that
you are concerned about, contact
your vet in the first instance.
Claire Kendall
32
Please mention Essentially Local when responding to adverts