'Cruel trade' in puppies for presents
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.DOG breeders are keeping hundreds of puppies in horrific conditions on intensive farms to be sold as Christmas presents, the RSPCA claimed yesterday.
The puppies are kept in cramped, unheated outhouses on farms in remote parts of Wales and pet shops throughout the country are selling them at eight weeks old. Many are sickly, stressed, unexercised and not properly vaccinated, the RSPCA said.
On one unlicensed farm, 50 dogs were kept in 3ft high pens with only enough room for each dog to sit and turn around, the report in the RSPCA's magazine, Animal Life, revealed.
Rohan Barker, an RSPCA Inspector who has visited many of the farms, said: 'Puppy farmers are only interested in making money . . . It is difficult for us to police the puppy farm business and if the breeders don't have a licence, it is very hard for us to track them down.'
The RSPCA's chief veterinary officer, Terence Bate, said anyone buying a puppy should see it with its mother first. 'They will then be able to see the conditions it has lived in.'
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments