Claire Sugden, treasurer of Stormont’s All Party Group for Animal Welfare, is calling for tight new measures over puppy farming, transport and sales in Northern Ireland - plus a stronger criminal justice approach to anyone convicted.
The independent MLA and former Justice Minister, was responding to the seizure of 29 puppies at Belfast Port as they were on their way to Britain last week.
Discrepancies in the puppies' paperwork were spotted by port staff who called in the PSNI, Belfast City Council and DEARA. All 29 dogs are now heading to foster homes with the help of Mid-Antrim Animal Sanctuary and Almost Home Animal Rescue NI and will be adopted in the new year.
Read more: 'Unwanted' Yorkie taken to vet to be put to sleep
Ms Sugden said: “This discovery represents just a tiny proportion of the huge numbers of animals farmed and illegally transported both within the UK and from overseas.
“The law must be made far more robust as to who and how animals are allowed to be bred, moved and sold. There must be a joined up approach from Stormont departments, local councils and the police.
“But where demand exists, dubious suppliers will exist. We must apply far greater scrutiny as animal lovers and buyers – we must question where the animals we buy are coming from and discover as much as possible about the sellers, animals and environment from which they come.
“It is easy to think that because we are giving animals a good home that we are doing the right thing. But the system of abuse and exploitation is perpetuated by the demand.
“During the pandemic this demand rocketed – and with it, prices, for dogs in particular. Unscrupulous puppy breeders were quick to cash in and while this has subsequently dipped, there is still a lot of money to be made and demand for animals remains strong.
“We must both cut off the revenue streams for those farming puppies and take a stronger criminal justice approach. Until we do, this problem will continue, with innocent animals ultimately paying the price.
"I am very pleased that these 29 puppies – many no more than a few weeks old – have been rescued and will hopefully now go to good and deserving homes."
And a spokesperson for Almost Home, who took in 19 of the dogs, said: "The demand [for puppies] is still there and people are buying pups without checking out their backgrounds. And there will always be those who breed and transport with only money in the driving seat.
"Did the intended homes ask to see mum/dad or how did they think they were getting pups? These little ones are safe and they won’t have a bad day. But what about the mums now, [will they have] more litters to make up for what’s lost. And so the cycle continues.
"We have received many many hundreds of phone calls, emails and texts regarding the pups seized at the port. We have golden retrievers and three little cross breeds. These little ones have had a tough time, they are young enough though to forget and move on.
"Well done to all agency’s involved in securing that these little ones didn’t end up as part of the Christmas markets. Please don’t be part of the problem."
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