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An Essex puppy trader is still selling
sick and dying animals despite a court order banning her from doing so, a BBC
Inside Out investigation has revealed.
The landmark case was brought by Essex
Trading Standards in 2004.
It bound Loretta Bastin and those acting
for her not to sell puppies of an unsatisfactory quality.
However, puppies from her premises
continue to be found to suffer from a range of problems including the lethal
and highly infectious parvo virus.
The business, which trades as Dobe Farm,
in Runwell near Wickford, and online as Hot Dog Kennels, still holds a full pet
shop licence.
Problems at Dobe Farm were first exposed
by BBC East in 1995.
It found puppies were being sold with
false pedigree certificates and with vaccination certificates that vets said
were worthless.
Trading Standards took Ms Bastin to court
five years ago using the Sale of Goods Act, which had never been used in a case
of this kind before, in an attempt to stop her trading in sick animals.
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www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/247
(Breeders code of ethics)
What Service Should a Breeder Supply?
A
breeder should sell you a healthy, happy puppy. You should receive dietary
advice, breed advice, insurance and samples of the foods the puppy is used to.
The breeder should always be available to advise you,
especially if you are a novice owner. If you intend to exhibit your dog the breeder should also be able to advise you as it is in their interest – their name being shown as the breeder in the show catalogues. If you are not happy with your puppy for any reason the breeder must offer to take it back – this does not necessarily mean you will be reimbursed with your money. Make sure that this is detailed in the written receipt at time of purchase. If for any reason you cannot keep your dog when it is much older it is to your breeder that you go first. They will help you re-home your dog – again it is in their interests to ensure that every dog they breed has a good home, they cannot afford bad publicity as it will affect their livelihood and reputation.
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WHAT TO DO IF YOU BUY A SICK
PUPPY
Your first call should be to Trading Standards, explain to them that
you do not want to exchange your pup you want full compensation for vets fees
etc. They will tell you what to do next and this means taking breeder or dealer
to small claims court. Its not as bad as it sounds and many people have done
this and had all monies they spent refunded.
You should also contact local council where the pup was bought and ask to speak
to licensing officer, make your complaint to him and insist that he act on your
complaint.
If pup was in very bad state RSPCA should be informed, insists they act on your
information.
Also if your pup has a health certificate, get in touch with the vet who signed
it and complain, complain ,complain.
Please don't keep letting these awful people who live off dogs misery keep
making a profit, hit them where it hurts the most THE POCKET !!
Also inform the Inland Revenue if you think the seller is not declaring his ill
gotten gains. Inform us too so we can warn other people and maybe save them the
heartache you have had, together WE CAN make a difference.
Help Beat Sick Puppy Farmers
The RSPCA Campaign Aims to Eduate Puppy Buyers.
February 17, 2009 by The RSPCA
Rogue Traders Documentary Exposes Dark Side Of The Puppy Trade
The grim reality of unethical puppy trafficking will be exposed in BBC One’s Rogue Traders this Thursday, which goes undercover with RSPCA officers to reveal the shocking truth behind this lucrative market.
The broadcast comes as new Consumer Direct figures reveal the number of complaints related to animal and pet purchases have almost doubled in two years. In 2006 the Government watchdog received 2,793 complaints, but by 2008 this had soared to 4,6271.
Rogue Traders, on BBC One on Thursday 19 February at 8pm, follows the launch of the RSPCA’s puppy trafficking campaign, which aims to advise prospective buyers on what to look for when searching for a puppy for sale.
Mark Evans, the RSPCA’s chief veterinary advisor, said:
“Puppy trafficking is a despicable, profit driven business. The RSPCA wants the public to destroy the puppy trafficking business by only buying from responsible and caring breeders. We hope this episode of Rogue Traders will raise awareness of this unethical trade.
“If you’re looking for a puppy for sale, do your homework. Make sure you know what to look for and what questions to ask. If something doesn’t seem right, it probably isn’t, so walk away. Never let your heart rule your head, no matter how tempting.”
As well as confronting those accused of running puppy farms and selling sick animals, the BBC’s Rogue Traders will give an insight into the heartbreak of those who have been caught out by the shocking trade.
Garry Green of Feltham, contacted the RSPCA when his golden cocker spaniel Alfie died of a lung condition just three weeks after he bought him from a pet shop and after more than £1,000 spent on vets bills. Garry will share his sad experience in the programme when he warns people of the tragic consequences of buying a sick dog.
For more information about the RSPCA’s puppy trafficking campaign and to watch a short film on the subject, visit http://www.giveanimalsavoice.org.uk.
Tips on buying a puppy are also available at www.rspca.org.uk/buyingapuppy.
RSPCA advice to consumers:
· Always see a puppy with its mother in the place where it was bred, and pay attention to the mother’s size, health, personality and reaction to the puppy – is it the real mother? Ideally see the father too. If you can’t see them, be suspicious
· Try to find out as much as possible about where the puppy has come from, and beware if the breeder is from outside the UK
· If you are told the puppy has been vaccinated, check the vaccination cards carefully. Be wary if the vet’s contact details are not visible, or have an address outside the UK
· Pedigree certificates are never a guarantee for the condition of your puppy, and may not even mean you are buying a pure-bred dog
· Never buy from someone who offers to deliver your puppy or arranges to meet you somewhere
· As hard as it will be, never buy a puppy just because you feel sorry for it
· If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t – use your common sense, and walk away
· If you are concerned about how you were sold the puppy, contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06
· If you have welfare concerns about puppies you have seen, contact the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999
*JUSTICE
FOR DOGS*
I would suggest ALL DOG BREEDERS AND OWNERS
join a Registered Charity No. 1092084,
called JUSTICE FOR DOGS, founded by Ann L. M. Harpwood,
Telephone and Fax 01544 370213.
Registered Address: Finloren Cottage, Wethel, Old Radnor, Powys, LD8 2RR.
This organisation will try to give members help and advice to help resolve
their difficulties.
I personally have been a member for some time and highly recommend joining and
supporting the cause.
The annual membership is currently I believe less than £10 for a single
applicant. It is well worth a telephone call to Ann to apply for membership.
I quote from their letter I received upon joining:
" To consult a Solicitor these days is well beyond the pocket of most of
us"
"Having said that we must emphasise that the professionals listed on our
notepaper are always acccessible to us and in many cases will give help it there
is a problem that this Charity needs to discuss with them"
"The calls for advice are varied, ranging from difficulties with local
Councils, the Police and very often, less than competent veterinary
surgeons"
To add, I
see on their headed notepaper a list of FOUR BARRISTERS, fifteen SOLICITORS and
six VETERINARY CONSULTANTS
ANOTHER HELPING HAND IF YOU HAVE BEEN SOLD A SICK PUPPY OR NEED TO REPORT ANY CONCERNS OVER BREEDERS, PUPPY FARMERS, BAD CONDITIONS ETC.
CALL "ITS A DOGS LIFE"
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