Illegal puppy purchases: Christmas presents with risks and consequences!

Illegal puppy purchases: Christmas presents with risks and consequences!

The warnings are unmistakable: Animal rights activists are sounding the alarm about the massive and illegal puppy trade, especially at Christmas time, when the desire for a cute four-legged friend increases immeasurably. As rbb24 reported, dubious sellers manage to smuggle puppies from cruel breeding conditions into Germany via Polish bazaars and car trunk sales. These animals often suffer from significant illnesses, which can quickly turn the joy into a nightmare for many families purchasing a puppy in the run-up to Christmas.

A murderous business

The trade is booming, despite stricter legal penalties, which are now equated with drug trafficking. Loud Web.de According to EU estimates, around 50,000 puppies cross borders between European countries every month. These machinations are hindered by criminal organizations, some of which have mafia-like structures. Puppies are bred in disastrous conditions in Eastern Europe, often separated from their mothers far too young to be resold at a huge profit margin, sometimes for up to 1,300 euros each.

Animal welfare experts emphasize that buyers, especially at Christmas time, are at risk of falling prey to dubious dealers who use counterfeits to give the impression of a legitimate sale. The police therefore urge you to be particularly careful, especially when it comes to offers on online platforms. Documents should be checked critically and purchases should never be made in unsafe places such as rest stops. As Birgitt Thiesmann from “Vier Pfoten” notes, buying a sick dog can not only lead to emotional trauma for the new owners, but also to horrendous veterinary costs that can quickly exceed financial possibilities.