Parents warned buying puppies at Christmas could fund organised crime gangs
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Parents are being urged to be wary of buying puppies this Christmas amid fears the money could be used as a financial pipeline for organised crime gangs. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) said millions of pounds in Scotland are spent each year on trafficked dogs bought at unauthorised puppy farms or online - where some designer breeds can fetch as much as £3,000.
With sales expected to spike in the run-up to the festive season, COPFS has joined forces with the Scottish SPCA to issue a stark warning to all those tempted to buy a new pet from an unlicenced seller. . Kenny Donnelly, deputy crown agent for serious casework at COPFS, said: "We know that many parents may be considering buying a puppy for their children at this time of year as a Christmas present.
"We would urge people to carry out proper research and only purchase puppies from authorised breeders. "Organised crime gangs continue to spread their malign influence into illegal puppy farming and use the huge profits they accrue from it to inflict widespread harm on communities throughout Scotland.
"These gangs are involved in the distribution of illegal drugs and money laundering. "It is critically important that anyone considering buying a puppy do so from legitimate dog breeders in order to avoid unintentionally supporting this cruel and illegal trade which exploits pets and causes them terrible suffering.
