Charity Calls on Local Authorities to Fight Puppy Farmers




March 18, 2009 by K9 Magazine News Editor
Charity hopes that work with Local Authorities will help to put an end to licenses being issued to “dodgy” dealers
Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, first heard
about Loretta Bastin back in 2004 when she was banned under a court
order from selling dogs by Essex Trading Standards.
Sadly, due to a lack of strict measures in place Ms. Bastin is still
operating and Dogs Trust recently worked with the BBC’s Inside
Out East and London teams to help try to put a stop to the sale of sick
puppies to members of the public. The BBC team approached Chemlsford
Council for comment, and to ask them to tighten their criteria for
issuing licenses for the sale of dogs. The charity is hopeful that they
will update their licensing standards and feels that this could be a
springboard for other Local Authorities to follow suit.
Clarissa Baldwin, Dogs Trust CEO commented:
“We are building on our work advising Local Authorities and we
hope that exposing unscrupulous dealers like Ms Bastin will help to
educate the public about where not to buy a puppy from.
“Buying a dog from a puppy farm or dealer like this will only serve to fuel this vile trade.
“We will continue to do all we can to raise people’s
awareness of this horrific trade. Please always get advice from your
vet on reputable breeders, or better still why not rescue a dog!”
Dogs Trust urges the public not to buy puppies from websites such as
Hot Dog Kennels, run by Ms Bastin even though they hold what is now
considered to be a full license.

They should be checked on every few wekks unexpectedly