Warning over buying puppies after suspected illegal sales in Arun
People looking to buy a puppy are being warned to be vigilant for signs of illegal sales after a number of dogs were seized from a house in Felpham.
The action was taken following complaints to Arun District Council’s Environmental Health Team about puppies barking and whining at the address and reports that they were being delivered to the house in vans.
Following an investigation by the Council’s Pollution Officers and the Dog Warden Service, a Noise Abatement Notice was served on the residents of the property, whom it is believed may have been selling the puppies online.
A meeting was held with partner agencies which resulted in Trading Standards officers, supported by the RSPCA and Sussex Police, visiting the house and another address last week and seizing a number of dogs.
Councillor Terence Chapman, Arun District Council’s Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, said: “This case proves how successful working with partner agencies can be when tackling a problem like illegal puppy sales. “Puppies are often separated from their mothers far too early to be transported for sale across Europe, often sick and with fake documents. In many cases the new owners are faced with high veterinary costs and many animals die or have to be put down. It is important to buy your new puppy from a responsible breeder who has the best interest of the dog at heart.”
Arun District Council recommends the following advice when buying a puppy:
- Ensure you see the puppy with its mother. If the seller refuses to allow you to see it with its mother, it may have been imported or the seller may be dealing in farmed puppies.
- Ask the seller if the dog is micro-chipped. Be very suspicious if the seller refuses to tell you as the dog may have been imported illegally, or the seller may be trying to hide the true age of the animal.
If the seller does show you documentation for the puppy, ensure that all the details match the dog and that the vaccinations have taken place at the correct time. Rabies vaccine can only be given when the puppy is 12 weeks of age or over and the puppy should not have travelled to the UK until 21 days have passed since the vaccination. Worming treatment must also have been given 1-5 days prior to travelling to the UK.
If you are suspicious about any websites or advertisements offering puppies for sale, or if you have information that puppies are being mis-described, please report the matter to Trading Standards, either by completing this online form, or by contacting the Citizen Advice Consumer Helpline on 03454 04 05 06.