Powers to stop puppy trafficking

Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Trading Standards will be able to continue working under animal welfare legislation in partnership with the SSPCA to combat this illicit trade for the next 12 months.
Members of the council’s economy, environment and infrastructure committee this week extended the SSPCA’s authorisations until November 2018.
A pilot project was run between January and November 2016 and by September last year officers had stopped seven people at Cairnryan who were found to be in possession of a total of 140 illicit puppies which were removed from their possession and re-homed.
Since September last year a further 32 vehicles have been stopped by police and 47 individuals questioned about puppies in their possession or evidence that they had been involved in the transportation of puppies from Ireland.
Evidence showed 261 puppies travelling through the port during this time.
Councillor Archie Dryburgh said: “Puppy trafficking is a terrible trade, both for the dogs concerned and for the consumers who purchase them.
“By working in partnership with other agencies including SSPCA and Police Scotland we can be more effective in disrupting this trade.”