Scots families have been warned to be cautious over buying puppies this Christmas, over fears they could accidentally buy sick and dying dogs from criminal gangs instead of properly licensed breeders.
Illegal puppy farming in Scotland is a £13million industry, according to a report published by the Crown Office last month, and prosecutors are now warning people to keep their wits about them if they are thinking of purchasing a pet this holiday season.
Up to one in four buyers could be buying a dog raised in shocking conditions by criminals, law authorities cautioned, and many animals may go on to experience severe health problems as a result.
Sought-after breeds, such as Chow Chows or Cavapoos, can be priced as high as £3,000, and are often advertised through online platforms.
But parents who are thinking of buying their children a dog for Christmas have been urged to double-check the legitimacy of sellers in fear of perpetuating the shameful cycle.
Laura Buchan, Procurator Fiscal for Specialist Casework at the Crown Office, said: "We realise the popular attraction that many people have of buying a puppy as a Christmas present.
"Organised crime gangs have infiltrated this activity and continue to use the profits they accrue from it to inflict widespread harm on communities throughout Scotland.
"Illegal puppy farming has grown significantly among Serious Organised Crime Gangs as a vital way of raising finance. These gangs are involved in the distribution of illegal drugs and money laundering.
"We would urge people to ensure they buy dogs from properly licensed breeders or from recognised outlets."
She added: "We will pursue and penalise this illegal activity on the public's behalf with the express aim of bringing to justice all those who are a part of it. And by doing so we aim to reduce the size of this illegal market in Scotland."
There are currently three serious organised crime groups involved in the illicit puppy trade, and a further seven groups recorded as having links to puppy farms and dog trading businesses, according to a Scottish Multi-Agency Strategic Threat Assessment (SMASTA) report published last month.
Cairnryan port is used as a main channel for bringing the animals to the UK, as many of the pets are illegally imported from Ireland.
Detective Chief Superintendent Stuart Houston, of Police Scotland, said: "Unauthorised breeding is extremely serious and has a significant impact on dogs' welfare.
"We would urge anyone considering buying a puppy to look into breeders before committing to purchasing. Police Scotland takes this type of activity very seriously and will fully investigate any cases."
The Scottish SPCA is also involved in tackling the problem and said its special investigations unit looked into hundreds of reports of puppy farms last year.
A spokesman said: "Puppies are treated like a commodity, bred in huge numbers with no regard for their welfare. The conditions they are born in lead to serious medical and behavioural issues and, in many instances, death at just a few weeks old."
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