I have just read a report from the RSPCA saying that there are people out there impersonating their Officers (not in uniform) attempting to steal puppies.   They knock of the doors of people with new puppies with some story about their puppy making too much noise (neighbours complaining).    Thankfully one person this has happened to smelt a rat and locked the door before the individual got in.

People with new puppies - BEWARE.   Obviously these people are after stealing a puppy and selling it on for the huge prices being asked at the moment!

That’s awful! Is there nothing some people won’t stoop to?

MamaBas:> BEWARE.   Obviously these people are after stealing a puppy and selling it on for the huge prices being asked at the moment!

Goodness me!!!  The world has gone absolutely mad and again I am sickened that people do this sort of thing.  Our lovely animals seem to be an ongoing
target! Thanks for the warning Mamabas.....we still have horse, cattle and sheep rustling in our part of the country and now puppy stealing added to the list.
(and my farming neighbours laughed when I put up my security cameras).
Hope these impersonaters are caught very quickly and banged to rights.

It doesn't surprise me to be honest sadly. Dog theft had risen along with the puppy prices. It's a lucrative crime.

Unfortunately u are right jo. We have had quite a few round me over the years and generally it didn't seem to be stopping .
Gone are the days of leaving your dogs outside shops or even in cars. Even when out walking them there are far to many reportd of dogs vanishing
Many are being taken from gardens and during burglaries as well

Since the rise in puppy prices I've heard of a lot of kennel break-ins, dogs being taken from owners when their on walks or possible attempts, dogs being taken from gardens ect.

Until the government changes the law on pet theft they will continue to target dogs. Currently dogs are considered second hand goods so even if they get got the sentencing doesn't fit the profit.

Crazy dog lady. > Until the government changes the law on pet theft they will continue to target dogs

You are so right and it's sickening that animals within our society are seen as a commodity! The sad thing is that as long as Breeders stay withing their comfort zone and rebuke
the wider situation, nothing will change. Introducing Legislation re the sale of animals for every Breeder is the only way ahead IMO. The thieves would be unable to sell these stolen
animals to the wider public in the UK without consequence.

> Introducing Legislation re the sale of animals for every Breeder is the only way ahead IMO. The thieves would be unable to sell these stolen animals to the wider public in the UK without consequence.

It probably wouldn't effect them to be honest as I'd imagine any reselling is done under the guise of rehoming a personal pet or responding to wanted adds

Or word of mouth .the friend of a friend type thing who has a litter and can get u a pup
As always its getting any law policed
Look at micro chipping ,great idea in theory but with few dog wardens due to cut backs ,vets can't do the policing who can ?

JoStockbridge & furriefriends:> It probably wouldn't effect them to be honest as I'd imagine any reselling is done under the guise of rehoming a personal pet or responding to wanted adds

I so understand what you are both saying.  If Licensing was backed up by a Government Campaign stating only Licenced Breeders sell legitimately, do you think it may start discussion within the general public that anyone without a licence is to be avoided? Until the KC started making people aware of their check list for potential buyers, there would have be no awareness of advice
when looking for a Breeder/Puppy/Adult Dog.

How many.litters are bred accidentally or on purpose by Pet owners, who often say 'I am not a breeder'

We get them posting here, and have to remind them, that they are a breeder if their bitch has pups.

The LA's couldn't police breeders of 5 or more litters, and now 2 or more. Most of the worst puppy farms were/are licensed.

Brainless: > How many.litters are bred accidentally or on purpose by Pet owners, who often say 'I am not a breeder

Your Licence would be revoked if this happened on more than one occassion over the period of licensing.

> We get them posting here, and have to remind them, that they are a breeder if their bitch has pups.
> Most of the worst puppy farms were/are licensed

Since new legislation was introduced in 2018, the majority of Puppy Farms in Scotland & Wales have been singled out and closed down.
It's England & Ireland who have not adopted the new legislation who are allowed to continue breeding from these horrific animal facilities.

Policing would be so simple if UK Licensing was introduced.  If you have a licence you can sell/advertise....if you don't have a licence, your
breaking the law and will be prosecuted and hopefully jailed for animal cruelty as you are not following animal welfare regulations.

I don't think it would be possible to require everyone who is selling their dog/puppy they no longer want to have a licence to sell it, and if it was I could see a rise in dogs being dumped when owners couldn't keep them but didn't want to get a sales licence (as they wouldn't need a breeding licence if they are selling their pet.....well pretend pet). I just don't see it working.

I think what they need to do is make the punishment for pet theft tougher.

I thought licensing does apply in England?  I pressume Northern Ireland as well
Its manged by individuals councils so the costs and interpretation can vary but its very similar

JoStockbridge> I don't think it would be possible to require everyone who is selling their dog/puppy they no longer want to have a licence to sell it, and if it was I could see a rise in dogs being dumped when owners couldn't keep them.

I know it is a real hard pill to swallow but if the governments national campaign included an 'amnesty' for these uncaring/irresponsible dog owners to bring them to a rescue centre which was govt funded for say 20 years (more than that of a normal canine lifespan) then anyone vetted for the rehoming of any rescue dog had to be licensed then surely, hand in hand with any new owner who wants to rehome or Breed requires a licenc., It would go a fair way to eliminate the BYB?  I know the plan isn't perfect but a national campaign might start the ball rolling???? only IMO.

furriefriends:  > I thought licensing does apply in England?  I pressume Northern Ireland as well
Interpreted by borough/councils/provinces and no it's not similar by any means.  You can check criteria by visiting individual Councils.

https://www.gov.uk/dog-breeding-licence-england-scotland-wales

furriefriends:> https://www.gov.uk/dog-breeding-licence-england-scotland-wales

Try to make head or tail of it then!  Look forward to your indepth explanation for the whole of the UK

furriefriends:> https://www.gov.uk/dog-breeding-licence-england-scotland-wales

Try to make head or tail of it then!  Look forward to your indepth explanation for the whole of the UK ( incl Ireland of course)

Jo Stockbridge:  Late reponse but meant to say despite Wales losing their BVA Eye Consultancy, Leominster Veterinary Hospital are providing this service now. (subject to appt ofcourse)

>Jo Stockbridge:  Late reponse but meant to say despite Wales losing their BVA Eye Consultancy, Leominster Veterinary Hospital are providing this service now. (subject to appt ofcourse)

Thanks Hoggie, just a shame will have to go to England to get it done, ok just over the boarder but still I use to get it done about 30mins away

All the breeders I know habe had eye test appointment dates cancelled multiple times.

We have a.Microchipping law.

Every puppy must be chipped by the breeder, and yraceable back to them.

The fine for not chipping or keeping records updated is £500.

How many found nogtices have you seen on Facebook, and dogs confiscated by Police without chips or updated info?

They make laws but do not enforce them.

You think someone allowing fluffy to have a litter would runbto their Council to pay over £300 for a breeding license?

The Kennel Club register just about 30% of litters, so those are traceable.

70% are not.

Some 233,000 wete registered at KC in 2019, assuming 6 pup litter average gives about 39,000 litters, add estimated 92,000 unregistered litters.

Do you really see councils trying to trace and chase all these people.

Of course those who register with the Kennel Club, who Insure our pups are easy targets, but are less likely to be the cause of issues.

Brainless  Date 21.01.21 03:03 UTC

All the breeders I know habe had eye test appointment dates cancelled multiple times.

I have one booked mid feb.  Fully expecting cancellation notice soon.  Even if it's not it's a two hour drive.  Is it essential.  Most would say not.  Not sure what I'll do yet. It's already been cancelled once in Oct.

In my breed we now are only testing as a surveilance measure as known eye conditions in our breed are covered by DNA testing, so inability to get an eye test means we can go ahead.

If your breed has a condition that doesn't have a DNA test, especially if the dogs have not had a test at all then breeding without would be most unwise, different to just a being late..

> If your breed has a condition that doesn't have a DNA test, especially if the dogs have not had a test at all then breeding without would be most unwise, different to just a being late..

Very good point brainless as always! You definitely need to change your username!