Welcome to my blog

For years I have campaigned against puppy farming, dealers and pet shops, in fact any outlet that is involved in the breeding and selling of puppies by third parties. Why you may ask? Because it is a clandestine trade that lacks public awareness and Governments fail miserably to accept that puppy farming resulting in puppy trafficking is detrimental to animal welfare. Through my thoughts on my blog I will highlight some of the daily happenings from my perspective as a campaigner against the puppy trade.







Disclaimer: My name is Patricia from Puppy Alert, the opinions and views expressed on this blog are entirely my own.



Tuesday 7 May 2013

Animal Heaven Animal Rescue - Irsh Republic

In the UK many may not be familiar with the name Animal Heaven Animal Rescue which is a rescue operating from Southern Ireland. Although if you are into rescue in the UK then some of the names of the rescues who are recipients of their dogs from Irish pounds maybe known to you such as Allsorts Dog Rescue, Rushton Dog Rescue, Stockenchurch Dog Rescue, Puppies Needing Homes, Second Chance Poundies, Small Paws, to name but a few.  AHAR as it is known does not have any status such as charity, business or an CHY number or listed on the Revenue Commissioners web site in Ireland who are responsible for granting charitable tax exemption in the Irish Republic. Yet AHAR are promoting the raising of 100,000 Euros which is a deposit on an equestrian centre which failed to sell at auction last year. To date they have put down a deposit of 20,000 Euros and raised 40,000 Euros.  They say the 100,000 Euros deposit will secure them a mortgage on the property, yet they will not reply to any questions asked as to how they are going to achieve this, in fact they delete any sensible comments on their Facebook page when the question is raised, only leaving comments by those where praise is given to AHAR. 
 
Any rescue that is asking for 100 Euros for a person to become a patron to their rescue to raise the 100,000 Euros deposit should know not only what their contribution is ultimately going to be used for but the proof that the 'dream' is likely to materialise. As yet there is no proof at all, in recent days photos have been posted on their site of the proposed equestrian centre in their anticipation of raising the deposit. This is only the beginning raising a deposit may not be out of reach for AHAR however the public in general and even more so the patrons of AHAR should also be entitled to know how AHAR is going to secure a mortgage on the proposed equestrian centre. The founder of AHAR is not in paid employment, only the running of her own rescue, so where is the security going to be found to enable a bank, firstly to loan the money which is hundreds of thousands of Euros and then to ensure that the monthly payments do not run in arrears? 
 
Is this 'dream' for real? Without a rescue having any status and therefore someone looking over their shoulder or even themselves willing to answer queries makes the whole situation rather dubious and lacking in transparency. My own personal thoughts are that there are far too many gullible people who are prepared to listen to and read a lot of sloppy words from the founder and are carried away by her 'dream' rather than question and insist on answers from the founder before parting with their hard earned cash.

Tuesday 9 April 2013

A Serious Warning - Puppy Imports offered for sale with a Passport.


A Serious Warning – Puppy Imports offered for sale with a Passport

Puppies are being offered for sale on the Internet on free ad sites such as Gum Tree, Dogs and Puppies by rogue sellers acting alone or on behalf of others offering 8 week old puppy’s micro chipped, with a Pet Passport, some ads say KC registered.  The puppies are from Eastern Europe (Hungary) and imported illegally.   

Be warned these puppies are being sold with false paperwork; they have been vaccinated against rabies too early.  Therefore it is possible they are not adequately protected against Rabies.

I know of at least two puppies that have been confiscated from their new owners by Defra and placed in quarantine kennels.  This has caused anguish for the new owners who were oblivious to the situation they have found themselves in when answering the advert and purchasing the puppies from a private address.

If you see these types of adverts please contact Defra, Consumer Advice/Trading Standards.

Please write to your MP requesting they question Defra Ministers on how these illegally imported puppies are able to arrive by road transport into the UK without being apprehended and stopped by border control before entering our soil and offered for sale.

We must stop these illegal imports which are placing our dog and human population at risk of rabies – it is not a case of IF but WHEN.  Please act now if you see or read anything suspicious.

puppyalert@btinternet.com

Thursday 28 March 2013

The Illegal Imports of Rescue Dogs and Puppies from the Irish Republic


The Illegal Imports of Rescue Dogs and Puppies from the Irish Republic

Once more the need arises to write about the importation of rescue dogs and puppies from the Irish Republic into the UK as the illegal trade in unwanted and homeless dogs and puppies continues.  Rescues responsible for sending bulk consignments of dogs and puppies to the UK are still not complying fully with EU legislation.   The legislation states quite clearly that anyone (including rescues) that transport dogs, puppies or cats as part of an ‘economic activity’ must comply with the Welfare of Transport Order 2006, to ensure that the animals are transported in the correct manner, in secure cages attached to the vehicle, the vehicle is well ventilated and inspected and passed as suitable. The driver must be in possession of Authorisation 2 under the Welfare of Animals Transport Order 2006 when transporting animals over 65km.

http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/animaltransport/ 

Equally as important rescues that export dogs, puppies and cats as part of an ‘economic activity’ must comply with EU Legislation  Balai Directive 92/65/EEC/TRACE’s.  They must ensure that the dog/puppy/cat is microchiped, travels with its passport, vaccinated against rabies, inspected by a vet and has its health certificate to certify that is in good health to travel.  This is in addition to normal routine vaccine and worming.  The treatment against the echinococcus tapeworm is not required. 

Anyone transporting dogs, puppies, must notify the local AHVLA, DEFRA office for the area receiving the consignment of rescue dogs 21 days prior to arrival to allow Defra/Trading Standards to check the paperwork is in order and the dogs/puppies/cats microchip matches their passports.

This is EU Legislation, yet rescues that are active in sending/taking regular, consignments of dogs’ puppies and cats to the UK from the Irish Republic are ignoring what is their legal responsibility.   Some Irish rescues announce on their  web sites and Facebook pages how wonderful they are in rescuing and saving dogs and puppies and sending them to the UK in large numbers yet they are doing so in contempt of the law but they fail to announce that fact.

The recipient rescues in England and Wales display photographs of the dogs and puppies asking a set price to take on the responsibility of one of their dogs or puppies, to save it from destruction in Ireland.  During which time hundreds if not thousands of dogs and puppies wait for a home in the UK in reputable rescues such as the Dogs Trust, Battersea to name just two who neuter/spay, microchip and vaccinate.  Their dogs are assessed and temperament tested by an animal behaviourist before offering their dogs and puppies for rehoming, for a far less donation than these ‘rescues’ who are importing illegally dogs/ puppies/cats from the Irish Republic, who sometimes allow dogs and puppies to be rehomed almost as soon as they arrive in the UK; some dogs are booked by a prospective new owner before the dog arrives from the Irish Republic without the new owner ever meeting the dog beforehand.  The new owner taking a chance that the dog will settle in and suit their lifestyle – but not all rescues involved in the Irish UK link will support the owner by taking the dog back if is not suitable, the dog then becomes another statistic, not in the Irish Republic but now one in the UK.   

Which rescues are sending dogs to the UK in large numbers?  The biggest contender and well known in Ireland has to be AHAR short for Animal Heaven Animal Rescue.    They are not a charity or company; this is immaterial in relation to transporting and exporting dogs to the UK. It is the frequent, regular numbers of dogs and puppies exported that makes them an economic activity.

Inistioge Puppy Rescue is registered in the Irish Republic as a Charity they regularly send dogs and puppies to the UK too.  Again their status is immaterial, their dealings with UK rescues picking up dogs from them on a regular basis and returning to the UK with van loads of dogs and puppies makes this an economic activity too.

Both rescues (there are many others that are operating in the same way) sending dogs, puppies and cats to the UK via UK rescues should be complying with the Balai Directive/TRACE’s.  The local AHVLA office, DEFRA and Council in the area of the recipient rescues in the UK should be notified of the dogs and puppies arrival 21 days beforehand. Yet no local Councils or AHVLA offices are notified of these regular transportations of rescue dogs.  It is an offence not to do so. AS far as I am aware there is not one UK rescue listed below that receives or collects dogs in consignments from the Irish Republic as an ‘economic activity’ that is following the EU Legislation.

These rescues are just the tip of the iceberg, Many Tears Animal Rescue, Dorset Dog Rescue, Allsorts Dog Rescue, Rushton Dog Rescue, Comfy Care Rescue, Puppies Needing Homes, DAWG Rescue, Stockenchurch Rescue all receive dogs and puppies from these two Irish Rescues or make regular journeys to Ireland themselves to bring back dogs and puppies.    AHAR and Inistioge either collect dogs from pounds in the Irish Republic; receive dogs from other rescues or individuals who are keen to see their unwanted dogs found a home in the UK.

That is fine providing that those involved do so within the law but they are not and no one appears to care how many dogs and puppies arrive in the UK.    At the same time attention is drawn by the UK media and rescues as to the numbers of unwanted dogs in rescue and destroyed for the want of a home.  Yet we seem unable to curtail or control the non-compliant importation of hundreds if not thousands of Irish dogs that find their way through these rescues to the UK each year.

Add to this the large numbers of dogs and over breeding that takes place in battery dog farms in Wales with their puppies sold to dealers and pet shops, the bulk importation of puppies from Eastern Europe providing some pet shops and dealers.  Rescue dogs arriving from Romania, Ukraine, Turkey and Greece, many are street dogs with no experience of confinement and the constraints of living in house and taken for walks, yet they are expected to conform to our expectations.  A constant stream of rescue dogs are moved one country to another in the name of rescue, with far too many finding their way to the UK when we have a crisis here ourselves?  Do I hear of UK dogs in desperate need of a home being exported to Western Europe?   No thankfully not but why are we so accommodating of other countries unwanted dogs, some from countries where rabies is endemic?  

Being aware that dogs and puppies are arriving in the UK illegally, with reports of dogs escaping from the vehicles they are travelling in from Europe the UK Government must ensure th ere is far better enforcement measures at border controls particularly for dogs and puppies that are transported by road than there is at the moment. They should stop the bulk imports of both puppies and rescue dogs regardless of where they originate from before we are faced with an outbreak of rabies or one of the tick borne diseases not normally found in the UK dog population, some of which are a zoonosis which can spread from dog to human. 

The media highlights the human mass immigration into the UK and its consequences yet disregards that we have a massive problem of dog and puppy importation which is seriously impacting on our rescue situation here and will continue to be a consequence unless Defra, MP’s in Westminster take this issue very seriously including the added risk of rabies and tick borne diseases. 

Back to the Irish UK rescue situation.    Below is the response received from the AHVLA DEFRA my questions in Italic their replies in normal print

When I have communicated with the AHVLA the advice given to me is 'that all dogs, cats and puppies must comply with either the Passport for Travel Scheme or the Balai Directive if classified as an 'economic activity' and this would include rescues' if they are travelling between the Irish Republic and UK. This is what I have been working on as being accurate information. My understanding is that it is the responsibility of Trading Standards to enforce the legislation if it is found that those rescues as part of an 'economic activity' who bring dogs, puppies, cats from the Irish Republic are not compliant with the Balai Directive and the Welfare of Animals Transport Order 2006 with the transporter in possession with Authorisation 2.

Please clarify that the above is correct? Yes it is correct.

If this is the case then anyone whether it is a dealer bringing puppies to sell to pet shops in the UK from the Irish Republic or a Rescue under 'economic activity' bringing in pound dogs, rescue dogs, puppies or cats should be in contact with the AHVLA before they embark from the Irish Republic to ensure all paperwork and dogs welfare status is compliant regarding rabies vaccination and passport.

Please clarify that this is correct? No. In terms of contact with AHVLA, the person undertaking the activity must notify the regional office of destination in the UK of the impending import – there is no obligation to send any paperwork in advance. Failure to notify is an offence. There is an EU requirement that there should also be an electronic notification (TRACES) generated by the country of origin when the sending country has completed the required health certificate.

If this is the case then the AHVLA should have records of all movements of dogs puppies and cats that have been brought into the UK if they have travelled under the Balai Directive or the Pet Travel Scheme if the person has in their possession 5 dogs/puppies or more not owned by them but in transit to be sold elsewhere? No, AHVLA do not hold records of all cats and dogs entering the UK. AHVLA do have records of any Balai moves (as above) which have been correctly entered on Traces. These would be available to the UK Competent Authority.

Please clarify if this is correct and if not please explain why this is not the case?

Any Balai moves which have taken place and which have not been signed off by the Competent Authority of origin on Traces would not be captured on Traces and, in the absence of an importer notification, would not be known to AHVLA. 

 

 

Monday 25 March 2013

Puppies from Eastern Europe.


Last week Channel 4 Dispatches programme highlighted the importation of puppies from Eastern Europe offered for sale by adverts placed on Internet free ads site, dealers or in pet shops.  I am pleased this was highlighted by the media; it was an issue that concerned me when I visited various London pet shops exactly one year ago and later heard that one had started to import puppies.  

Aardvark Kennels (misleading as is a high street shop) was highlighted on this programme for taking a delivery, under darkness, of puppies from a van parked outside their premises.   For anyone that did not see the programme there were 42 puppies of various pedigree breeds that had travelled by road for at least 22 hours from Slovakia in the back of a van before arriving in a UK port.   Then transported to London and delivered to the pet shop highlighted in the programme and possibly elsewhere. 

Anyone transporting puppies, dogs or cats by road over 8 hours as an economic activity must be in possession of Authorisation 2 under the EU legislation the Welfare of Animals Transport Order 2006.  The vehicle must adequately ventilated; the crates carrying the puppies must be secured to the vehicle and of the correct size.  The puppies delivered to Aardvark Kennels were in loose unsecured cages and overcrowded.   The transporter must also adhere to a route plan with adequate stops en-route to feed and water the puppies and be competent in animal welfare. 

Each puppy must be accompanied by their own Passport, microchiped prior to its vaccination against rabies, which is usually administered at 12 weeks of age, unless the vaccine manufacturers stipulates differently.   The puppy must be treated against the Echinococcus worm prior to travel to the UK plus the normal worming and vaccination treatments.  The puppy must be inspected by a vet in its country of origin as fit to travel and cannot travel until 21days starting from the FIRST day after the last rabies vaccine is administered.  They must also be accompanied by an INTRA Trade Animal Health Certificate.   Anyone transporting consignments of puppies should notify the local AHVLA DEFRA office at the destination of the premises the puppies are to be delivered to at least 24 hours before arrival and, if a certificate is required, it should be entered into the TRACES system.  Therefore it is exceedingly important that anyone transporting puppies to the UK as part of an economic activity is compliant with the current EU legislation. 
Most imported puppies should not be arriving in the UK until at least 15 plus weeks of age.  Unfortunately it is known that some puppies arriving from Eastern Europe and offered for sale are having their vaccinations too early and arriving with falsified documentation.

It is inadvisable when considering purchasing a puppy  to buy fom a pet shop, a dealer because they purchase puppies to resell from battery dog farmers.   Interernet free ad sites are used frequently by unscrupulous people including dealers and puppy farmers who wish to sell puppies without any thought as to where or how the puppy they are selling is bred or sold to providing they make money easy on the sale.   

For example puppies sold in a pet shop bred in Eastern Europe can be purchased very cheaply by the person offering the puppy for sale at an inflated price making the seller a large profit and you the purchaser a hefty veterinary bill or even worse if the puppy was imported illegally.  The purchaser will have no accurate knowledge (even though there is an address of the breeder in the Pets Passport) as to the reputation of the breeder whether the dam and sire of the puppy is of good health, free from hereditary disease or how many litters of puppies she has bred.  There will be no information as the condition at the breeding premises or what standards the breeder sets for their dog breeding business. 

According to Defra the premises of origin (meaning where the puppy is bred) must be registered in accordance with article 4 of Directive 92/65/EEC if imported for example from an Eastern European country into the UK.  Do you think the puppies for sale in our pet shops and by dealers are from registered premises?  Personally I doubt it; I await confirmation from Newham Council who are responsible for licensing Aardvark Kennels for their response.

The relaxation of quarantine rules has allowed dealers and pet shops to exploit the ease of access of puppies bred in Eastern Europe, they are cheap to purchase and easily available.  The sellers are not interested if the puppies cannot be offered for sale until after 15 weeks of age and are deprived of their early socialization (most important time is 6 to 14 weeks) when they are offered for sale to the public. They disregard the fact that many puppies are still waiting to be sold at 6 to 8 months of age!  This is unacceptable, yet Councils fail to place restrictions on a holder of a pet shop licence.
Who do we blame?  Defra for not listening to animal welfarists who warned that due to the laxing of quarantine there would be an influx of puppies into the UK from Eastern Europe sold by dealers and pet shops?  Councils such as Newham who have not and could  place extra conditions on their pet shop premises when granting and renewing a pet shop licence thus restricting the sale of puppies from Eastern Europe due to welfare concerns?

It is not too late for Defra and Councils faced with this situation to act.  Puppies should never be sold by dealers and pet shops regardless of where they are bred in the UK the Irish Republic or imported from Eastern Europe. 

If you are concerned then please write to your MP, Defra and Newham Council. 

The advice is always the same if you cannot see the premises where the puppy is bred with the puppy interacting with its mother then walk away.  It is so simple.

  


 

Thursday 7 March 2013

Stop the illegal transport of puppies and dogs from Romania

Puppy Alert supports the action as highlighted below in the link.  It is important that anyone whether involved in the puppy trade which I abhor or bringing into the UK dogs and puppies through rescue comply with current legislation to ensure that the UK remains rabies free.  The transportation of rescue dogs is classified as an 'economic activity' and those transporting dogs and puppies must be complient. 

http://www.causes.com/actions/1704269-boycott-the-illegal-transport-of-dogs-from-romania

Worth mentioning also Channel 4 Monday 11th March Dispatches is showing a programe on the illegal transporation of puppies from Eastern Europe.

Sunday 10 February 2013

Welsh Commercial Dog Breeders and their Waste


Welsh Commercial Dog Breeders and their Waste

 

Many licensed dog breeders in Wales are acting illegally when disposing of solid waste from their dog breeding kennels such as faecal matter, contaminated soiled bedding, and empty chemical containers.  These items must all be disposed of via a suitably permitted facility.  Dog faeces and carcasses are defined as 'hazardous waste' under Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005 and it is the responsibility of the dog breeder to ensure that the site used for disposal is permitted to receive this particular type of waste (Waste Code 18 02 02*).

 
However, Puppy Alert can reveal that Councils in Wales are licensing dog breeders with full knowledge (FOI) that they are not following current legislation, they are using the following illegal means of hazardous waste disposal: slurry pits, dung heaps, septic tanks, farm waste, compost, council bins, fields, skips, burning and incinerators (the latter requires a licence). 

 
It has for many years been common practice for livestock and sheep farmers to use a slurry pit for the purpose of storing the slurry from the farm, when the time is right, according to legislation, spreading it on the land is considered acceptable.   

 
However whilst the spreading of livestock farm waste (slurry) is acceptable the storing and spreading of dog faeces is not.  This is of grave concern as many licensed dog breeders in Wales are also working farms with many Welsh farmers having diversified into dog breeding. Some owning and breeding from 50 to 200 breeding bitches, most keeping their dogs in agriculture sheds. Many farmers have continued the practice of using the slurry pit for the storing of dog faeces together with farm waste then using it as a fertilizer and spreading it on the land. This both unacceptable and illegal.  Even worse considering that sheep and livestock are grazing on the grass ending up in the food chain.  

 
The Centers for Disease Control in the USA strongly warns against the use of large quantities of dog faeces as a fertilizer.  Common pathogens such as Campylobacter bacteria and parasite worms can infect humans, composting and sunlight are not reliable as far as destroying these viruses which can 'aerosolize'  (float in the air) and attach to the leaves of edible plants fruit and vegetables.   

  
The open burning of controlled waste and land spreading of dog faeces and (stillborn) carcasses is also an offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.  It is very unlikely that the Environment Agency would give permission for wastes such as this to be composted.  The holder would need to apply for a permit/waste exemption and this would certainly be refused.  

 
The advice from the Environment Agency for kennels is as follows: wash down from kennels and drainage should be directed to the foul sewer, or if it is not available to a sealed cesspool.  These areas should be covered to prevent rainwater being collected.  The contents of the cesspool should be removed by a licensed contractor for off-site disposal.

 
Drainage to a private sewage treatment plant must only be considered as a last option, and only if appropriate treatment and flow balancing are provided.  The plant would need routine maintenance to be carried out under contract with the supplier (specialist knowledge is required to ensure correct operation to meet consent conditions).  Because the high strength of the effluent may affect the adequacy of the treatment, advice should be sought on the design, installation and operation of this type of plant. 

 
With this advice available from the Environment Agency for kennels, why have Councils not advised dog breeders when granting and renewing their dog breeding licenses of their responsibilities, instead of allowing so many to operate illegally?

 
There are approximately 162 licensed dog breeding kennels in just three counties in Wales, Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire, Wales, with at least 5,200 breeding bitches capable of producing at least 25,000 puppies per annum, without taking into account the 249 premises that are operating unlicensed.  These figures represent a large numbers of dogs and their waste. It is unacceptable that these Councils and the Welsh Assembly, whilst looking at dog breeding under CAWES, did not appear to be aware of this illegal activity as it has not been raised.  Puppy Alert hopes by highlighting the situation that action will be taken by the Environment Agency against Councils and licensed dog breeders that are flaunting the law and placing humans and animals at risk by contamination of the land and ultimately the livestock entering the food chain. 

 
Update: 10.02.2013

 
It has taken the Welsh Assembly until now, when alerted by concerned members of the public, (even though this situation has been in operation for years) to wake up to the situation amongst their farming community that are involved in dog breeding alongside farming. The Councils licence and inspect premises for dog breeding they have a responsibility to ensure that all dog breeder dispose of their dog waste according to current legislation and not in ways that are irresponsible, unacceptable and illegal.  Here is their response to my email.

Please read as follows:-.

 

Thank you for your letter about the disposal of waste at licensed dog breeding

establishments. It has been passed to me to respond.

The disposal of waste is not a Welsh Government matter; the enforcement responsibility lies

with the relevant Local Authority and also the Environment Agency. However, the Guidance

accompanying the forthcoming Animal Welfare (Breeding of Dogs) (Wales) Regulations

2013 does cover waste and stipulates the following:

“Facilities should be provided for the proper reception, storage and disposal of waste.

Particular care should be taken to segregate waste arising from the treatment and handling

of dogs with infectious diseases. The licensee should check with the Environment Agency

for current guidance on the appropriate means of disposal”.

The aforementioned Regulations are currently being translated and checked by the Welsh

Government’s Legal Department. Once this process has been completed, they will be

tabled in the National Assembly for Wales for a period of 40 days to allow Assembly

Members to comment on its content. Finally, a Plenary Debate will be taking place on 7th

May 2013. If there are no amendments, the Regulations will come into force shortly after

this process.

 

 

Tuesday 29 January 2013

The Dog Transport Runs from the Irish Republic to the UK


The Dog Transport Runs from the Irish Republic to the UK.

Dog Rescue conjures an image in many people’s minds of responsible individuals taking care of an animal in distress, tending to its immediate needs, veterinary attention, vaccination, neutering/spaying, assessing the dogs suitability to be rehomed, behaviour advice sought if necessary and ultimately finding the dog a good home, where it will happily spend the rest of it life and not be returned to the millstream of the neglected and unwanted.   Is this too idealistic, the vision we like to believe in and the image that rescues like to portray to the public of happy ever after for puppies and dogs that find themselves entering the doors of rescue or is there a story to tell behind the scenes.  I believe there is.

Have you ever considered why some dogs, even young puppies, find themselves in need of rescue in the first place or where they have originated from?  We read the explanations given to rescue by people giving up their dog or puppy, new baby, house move, allergy, dogs’ behaviour, change of financial circumstances or even bought the wrong dog.   Valid reasons or just convenient excuses, one can never tell. 

Sometimes the puppy through adolescence becomes too high maintenance both in financial terms and its needs.   Some owners feel guilty admitting this to a rescue.  Some will try to find a home through free ads or the Internet; others leave dogs tied up outside rescues rather than are honest and speak face to face with them.  For some owners handing a loved dog into rescue is a very last resort and can be a very distressing time.  When through no fault of their own or their dog they reluctantly leave their dog in a rescue due to unforeseen circumstances.  Walking away from a whimpering dog is very distressing, difficult to resist just one more glance over their shoulder before leaving in the hope that the dog will not fret for family in unfamiliar surroundings and the rescue will keep to their word to find their dog a good home.

What of the street dog, the ones that owners either intentionally or unintentionally allow to roam   who are picked up by the dog warden and taken to the local dog pound and not reclaimed.  What story lies behind the reason they have been found unwanted, if only they could tell us.  In the UK most rescues struggle to find homes for dogs in their care yet oddly some rescues make a great effort to increase the numbers even further by importing dogs, puppies and even cats from the Irish Republic due to the high destruction figures in their dog pounds.

What happens to dogs that are released from Irish pounds into the hands of Irish rescues involved directly or indirectly in transporting dogs and puppies to the UK?  Does the consequences of this action impact on the dogs waiting for homes in our rescues, some waiting for months or even years if the rescue has a non-destruct policy?   The message relayed by Irish and UK rescues involved in transporting dogs is that our rescues are full of bull breeds and staffies and not everyone wants a staffie; therefore by sending Irish dogs to the UK people have a better choice.  Is this true?   There are certainly some nice dogs in rescues that take Irish dogs but should they take priority, have the chance of a life whilst our resident dogs wait longer in the queue and maybe never find a home?   Is it irrelevant where a dog or puppy comes from and the reason it is unwanted providing it is cared for and found a home?  Many in reply to this question will say, it does not matter, but does it if the numbers of dogs arriving are frequent and high?

Due to the regular high numbers of stray dogs impounded in the Irish Republic,  unless the dog pound has an arrangement to release the dogs to a local rescue they will have an euthanasia policy allowing just 5 days for the owner to collect their dog.  This short window and large numbers of dogs not just from the pounds but 'hand ins' direct to the rescue, puppies from back yard breeders and ex breeding bitches, offers the rescue a large selection of dogs and puppies but not always by choice.  This allows both the Irish and particularly the UK rescues to cherry pick and select the ones they wish to have.  They say it is all about ‘saving dog’s lives’ but is it if they cherry pick?  They say the aim is to take as many dogs as possible that can be loaded into a vehicle that they believe they can rehome and transport to the UK.  The Irish rescue will sometimes only keep the dogs and puppies for a short time, sometime a few days not adequate time to neuter spay or vaccinate, when this occurs it results in dogs leaving Ireland intact and puppies too young to be operated on.  The vaccine routine used is uncertain too.  The whole system operated by rescues involved both in the Irish Republic and the UK is shrouded in mystery and uncertainties.    

When any Irish rescue involved in sending dogs to the UK as a ‘commercial activity’ they should comply with the Passport for Travel or the Balai Directive but they do not.   They fail to  even ensure that every individual dog, puppy or cat prior to leaving the Irish Republic is examined by a vet, fully vaccinated, wormed, in reasonably good health neutered and spayed,( if necessary).   Which should be the very basis of good practice for every rescue, equally for an Irish rescue shipping dogs to the UK? 

Some UK rescues are keen to take Irish dogs and this is their main source of supply, no doubt because they are so easily obtainable, presumably free, selected by themselves in some cases before arrival, so they will know what they can expect to arrive or ready waiting for them to pick up.  The dogs and puppies as far as the eye can tell, often look in reasonable health and suitable to be rehomed and they are, often very quickly.  However if the Irish rescues fail in ensuring the dogs are neutered, spayed and vaccinated the cost is passed onto the UK rescue receiving the Irish dogs. 

The Minister of Agriculture in the Irish Republic assists animal welfare by offering rescues substantial yearly grants to those that apply.  The question I ask is why are two most prolific Irish Rescues responsible for sending dogs to the UK and in receipt of a Government grant in December 2012 of £7,000 and £10,000 to assist with neutering/spaying, vaccination, and rehoming sending untreated dogs to the UK?  

THE DOG AND PUPPY TRANSPORTERS.

Reading this one may wonder why I am so uptight about the dog transporters traveling to and fro between the Irish Republic and the UK if dogs are being saved from Irish pounds and the treat of euthanasia.  

I wish to make it clear quite clear from the onset I am not speaking out against those in rescue that occasionally bring dogs and puppies, a few at a time to be rehomed in the UK or more providing it is carried outlegally,  responsibly and with animal welfare the  priority.  What I am speaking out against are those involved that are operating an ‘economic activity’ but are not complying with the legal responsibility of doing so.  That is wrong, people are financially supporting them as rescues, yet they are a business’s just like any other business and the dog’s puppies and cats are what bring in the financial benefit because people will donate, raise funds and leave legacies to a ‘rescue’ if they feel they are supporting the dogs and puppies in their care.    But a ‘rescue’ that operates without full transparency only telling the public what they feel the public would like to hear regarding their finances is a long way from being totally honest and upfront with their supporters and how the money donated and raised is spent.  Sometimes the public are getting duped into believing they are helping the animals (they may well be) but indirectly they could be helping and supporting those that run their business in the name of rescue.   Sadly,  sometimes that is the case.           

Some ‘rescues’ involved in the frequent dog transport runs for many years.  The movement of Irish impounded, unwanted dogs and puppies is not new, it has been in operation for some considerable time with more and more UK ‘rescues’ coming on board in support, both to collect and receive Ireland’s unwanted dogs.     

Regularly vans both large and small, 4 wheel drives and even a cattle truck have been loaded with dogs, puppies and cats. Not a few dogs by a rescue assisting another  but regular consignments of 30/50/70 even 80 dogs at a time are undertaken, in addition to litters of puppies and cats.   These runs are regular, one UK rescue travels to Ireland every week to bring back 25/30 dogs, others travel every two weeks and Irish rescue can take 50 dogs or more when they have used the cattle truck.  Some rescues book in advance the dogs they want to accept and display on their web site before they arrive in the UK.  There is is not just one or two UK rescues on the transport run but a cartel of rescues some friends or off shoot of another setting up on their own. Some falling out with another back biting or jealousy creeps in over who gets what.  It is crazy, six rescues on the South Coast and one in S Wales all on self-ego trips of who can take and rehome the most dogs and puppies from Ireland.  They are not the only ones there are many other operating under the same methods elsewhere in the UK.

What none of them seem to appreciate or comprehend is that what they are doing is an ‘economic activity’ and due to this they have certain legal obligations.   

These rescues rely in the main upon two Irish Rescues one is a Charity called Inistioge Puppy Rescue run by an elderly lady the other is called Animal Heaven Animal Rescue run by Suzanne Gibbons AHAR does not have any official recognition or registration as a either Charity or Company, they  operate from two different areas and receive dogs from various pounds, puppy farms and assist with dogs from other rescues.  Both are in receipt of the Ministry of Agriculture grant of £7,000 and £10,000. Inistioge Puppy Rescue is reliant upon UK rescues travelling to Ireland to collect the unwanted dogs and puppies.  Whilst AHAR has on numerous occasions taken dogs in their cattle truck to the UK, dropping dogs off at a rescues enroute to the South Coast of England where the main receivers of Irish dogs and puppies are situated.  AHAR say they have rescued 2,600 dogs last year with 70% going to the UK which is 1,820.

Anyone reading this will say what is all the fuss about the dogs are being saved aren’t they?   Well yes they are being taken from a pound situation to two Irish rescues which are both in dire need of repair and refurbishment and lacking in facilities for the dogs and puppies they hold and rehome in Ireland and send to the UK.  

Let us look for a moment at the requirements for transporting dogs and puppies as an ‘economic activity’.  The legislation relating to transporting dogs and puppies is applicable both in the UK and Irish Republic so there can be no excuse for any rescue involved in the transport runs to not be aware, yet few comply resulting in the majority operating illegally without the required Authorisation 2 under the Animal Welfare Transportation Order 2006.  They know it is easy and they have taken advantage of this loophole as there are no designated entry ports for animals transported between the Irish Republic and the UK.  The Ministry of Agriculture in Ireland when he issued his year list of grants to rescues he reminded them of the legal requirement that they must adhere to.  However how many will heed his advice remains to be seen.

The lack of stringent inspection and enforcement by border controls at the ferry ports used by the transporters has resulted in rescues taking chances of not being caught when they have transported dogs’ crated in unsuitable vehicles.   For journey sometimes 12 hours or more by road and ferry in insecure loose cages inside vans and even a cattle truck.  This is illegal anyone transporting   dogs and puppies on this scale as a ‘economic  activity’ must be in possession of Authorisation 2 under the Animal Welfare Transport Order for any journey over 65km  and must have an approved  and inspected vehicle to comply with the legislation.  Some dogs would not be considered fit or acceptable to have made the journey to the UK if they were carried by registered vehicles and inspected at the border controls. 

In recent transports to the UK they included an emaciated weak elderly lurcher, a blind German shepherd; a border collie too soon after a femoral head osteotomy endured an uncomfortable long journey in a cage for 12 hours which must have been unbearable. A pregnant staffie x that became pregnant whilst at the Irish rescue (based on gestation figures) gave birth a few weeks after arriving in the UK to 7 puppies but 4 died.  Reports of puppies dying of parvo virus soon after arrival and sometimes dogs in poor bodily condition, possible from puppy farms, there are many more instances that due to lack of inspection by border control and Trading Standards animals have unnecessarily suffered on these transportations.  If they were inspected when these dogs were on board before leaving they would have been turned back.  The rescues involved I believe know they are operating inefficiently resulting in some using various ferry crossings each time to avoid detection in a periodic check.    

It appears there is a common objective by all involved to take as many dogs from the Irish pounds and transport as many dogs out of the Irish Republic into the UK as can be crammed into a vehicle, regardless of the suitability or condition of some of the dogs and puppies, vaccine regime, spaying or neutering as routine or undertaken by all.   It appears to be irrelevant.  They ignore legislation and common sense appears to go out of the window.

Who are the receivers of the Irish dogs from Animal Heaven Animal Rescue which is not a Charity or as far as I know registered anywhere else?  They are a business.  They will I am sure not mind my mentioning their name as they are gaining much TV coverage this week and funds are rolling in.  Surprisingly they do not say they will use the money raised from TV, radio and media coverage to improve the accommodation for the dogs at their premises or to vaccinate, spay and neuter but to purchase a new vehicle to take even more dogs to the UK.

 Allsorts Dog Rescue appears to be the favoured by AHAR at the moment.  Allsorts Dog Rescue is not Charity or a Company either; they call themselves a non-profit organisation.  They are a business that rent kennels, and last year received nearly 500 dogs from AHAR.  The dogs and puppies are displayed on Allsorts web site a few days before they arrive at their rented premises.   The dogs photos are often taken at AHAR this enables prospective purchasers to reserve a dog or puppy (a little foolhardy perhaps as they have not met the dog and the ‘rescue’ say they do not keep dogs) before the dogs arrive in the UK.  The purchaser is given a neutering voucher; the dog is priced at £150 but more for a Star dog (whatever that is).   

Rushton Dog Rescue they are a new Charity, as yet are not required to submit accounts to the Charities Commission.  Since moving from Dorset to Somerset they do not appear to have received many if any dogs from AHAR.   Although previously and regularly transported dogs in their own vehicle from AHAR.  Perhaps when settled they will start up again but they too will require Authorisation 2 and the correct vehicle if they resume the transport run to Ireland as before.  They say they neuter and spay and all dogs are vaccinated.   

Dorset Dog Rescue (DDR) is not a Charity or Company but a business.  They do not own kennels and rely upon people to foster their dogs.   They say they make a regular runs each week to Inistioge Puppy Rescue in the Irish Republic to pick up dogs and puppies and have been involved in doing so for years.  They say they have a Defra approved vehicle however it does not appear that they have Authorisation unless it is in a mystery name as does not appear officially.  Picking up 25/30 dogs a week plus puppies are a lot of dogs in a year (30 x 52 = 1,612). They offer a neutering voucher and vaccinate.

Stockenchurch Dog Rescue this is a Registered Charity with it appears very good facilities.  They too have taken from AHAR dogs delivered by cattle truck. However they do not appear to take too many dogs or too frequently.

Many Tears Animal Rescue used to be in favour with AHAR but Inistioge Puppy Rescue is the main source of puppies and dogs in recent times.  They are private Ltd Company running as business limited by guarantee but asked Companies House permission not to use the Ltd in their name.  Guess it would give the game away that they are a business, a word that does not sit well alongside rescue.  They do have a Defra approved vehicle and have Authorisation 2 enabling them to transport animals (dogs) over 65km.  However they are known to be over zealous and on an occasion sent two vehicles returning to Wales with 80 dogs and puppies, maybe a lesson was learnt as some puppies developed parvo virus and died.

According to what was reported in 2011 they rescued and rehomed 2,000 dogs (not all from Ireland) they also take from puppy farms in Wales but far less than previously due to their involvement with Ireland.   They own boarding kennels but most of their dogs are in foster homes throughout the UK.  They spay/neuter and vaccinate dogs by using a part time vet working on the premises, which enables dogs to be operated on and vaccinated if necessary soon after arrival.  The dogs and puppies are then transported into foster homes throughout the UK in the shortest time possible  after arriving from the Irish Republic.  A questionable practice as the dogs will already be stressed from travelling when operated and vaccinated.      

Comfy Care Rescue, DAWG, Pound Puppy, Puppies Needing Homes all take dogs and puppies from the Irish Republic and as many others apart from Many Tears Animal Rescue who operates from Wales and Stockenchurch Dog Rescue  in Bucks they are all in the south of England.   Dorset Dog Rescue and Stockenchurch  are registered Charities, Many Tears Animal Rescue registered at Companies House, Comfy Care Rescue, Allsorts Dog Rescue, Dorset Dog Rescue, Pound Puppy, Puppies Needing Homes and DAWG are not as far as I can tell not registered with any official body.  Regardless of their status they all are operating as an ‘economic activity’ and all are obliged to comply with the law when transporting animals. Only one Many Tears Animal Rescue has authorisation to transport animals from the Irish Republic.       

This is just the tip of the iceberg but it gives a brief glimpse of some of the rescues on the south  of England and one in SW Wales involved in collecting and delivering dogs and puppies from the Irish Republic on the rescue run as an ‘economic activity’.  There are many more throughout the UK.    

       

Dog and Puppy Traffickers


Dog and Puppy Trafficking

 
Any ‘rescue’ transporting dogs, puppies or cats as an ‘economic activity’ from the Irish Republic (ROI) to the UK must be in possession of Authorisation 2 under the Animal Welfare Transport Order 2006.

This EU Regulation applies equally to UK ‘rescues’ who travel to the Irish Republic to collect and bring back dogs, puppies or cats as part of an ‘economic activity’.



There are many individuals and businesses based both in the UK and Ireland who as part of an ‘economic activity’ do not transport dogs, puppies and cats legally.  The trafficking of rescue dogs, puppies and cats in regular, large consignments in unsuitable vehicles must not be allowed to continue as it places the animals at risk and allows animals to travel long distances when not always fit to do so.  If those responsible cannot comply with current legislation to ensure their animals welfare then this needs to be highlighted.

Many of the transporters are taking advantage of the lax border controls operating at ferry ports both in the Irish Republic and UK and using this as their advantage.  This is allowing many 'rescues' to be non compliant with the Animal Welfare Transport Order 2006.  They are also ignoring the legislation relating to the movement of dogs, puppies and cats under the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) and the Balai Directive for the commercial movement of dogs, puppies and cats, which is a matter for Local Authorities Trading Standards department to enforce.  They decide based on evidence available, whether to take action against individuals and businesses suspected of not complying with the relevant requirements both at ferry ports and the dogs, puppies and cats final destination in the UK.