Owner backs campaign to end puppy trafficking campaign
2:33pm Monday 14th July 2008
A MUM has spoken about how her family was caught up in the international puppy trade.
Nicky Heales, of Spencer Close, in Pamber Heath, is backing the RSPCA's latest campaign to stop puppy trafficking, after her dog Murphy suffered serious health problems when he was young - probably as a result of coming from a puppy farm.
Mrs Heales, who also has three other dogs, bought Murphy from a man in Wales after seeing an advert on the internet.
"I saw the advert and then rang up about getting a puppy. I could hear lots of dogs in the background so I just presumed it was genuine and the puppies were with their parents," she explained.
However, once Mrs Heales, 41, got the puppy home, she realised something wasn't quite right after the eight-week-old began continuously scratching and coughing.
After consulting a vet, she soon discovered that Murphy had mange, which he subsequently passed on to her other dogs. He also became very ill with a cough.
She said: "There was a point where we didn't think he was going to pull through, which was heartbreaking."
Mrs Heales and her husband Alex bought Murphy as a birthday present for their 14-year-old daughter Clare.
She estimates she has spent more than £500 on vets' bills to get Murphy back to full health. "We ended up taking it in turns to stay up with him at night because he was so ill," she said.
"And it was horrible to think this is happening to hundreds, even thousands, of other dogs," she added.
The case has been cited by the RSPCA which is concerned about the growth in puppy trafficking - where the sellers of puppies are not the breeders and the animals are often reared in unhealthy conditions.
Officers carried out an undercover investigation and claim the Heales family's experience was far from unique.
They say puppies are being bred in Ireland and shipped over to Wales for selling.
A new survey carried out by the RSPCA shows that many people do not know how to check that a puppy is not part of the trafficking trade.
Mark Evans, chief veterinary advisor for the RSPCA, said: "Puppy trafficking is a despicable, profit-driven business. We want the dog-loving public to destroy the puppy traffickers' market.
"If you're planning to buy a puppy, do your homework. Question everything and make absolutely sure the puppy you buy has come from a loving, caring home."
Murphy, now 18 months old, has fully recovered and is enjoying his life with the Heales family. But Mrs Heales said she feels guilty for being part of this trade. "If I get another dog, it will definitely be from a rescue centre," she said.
"I feel terrible for being so stupid and not checking everything, but, as soon as we saw him, we fell in love with him and sadly that's the case for most people.
"I would just urge everyone to listen to the RSPCA advice and don't let your heart rule your head."
For more information, visit rspca.org.uk