Legal News

Burnley Council is asking the public to be extra careful when buying puppies, after a crackdown on illegal dog breeders in the town.

The council and Lancashire police have seized three pitbull bitches and 21 puppies, together worth thousands of pounds.

The council’s Executive Member for community services, Councillor Lian Pate said:

“People often think about buying a puppy as a Christmas present – it’s a big commitment and we’d always encourage people to think hard before making a decision.

“If you do decide to buy a puppy, then it’s important you do that in a responsible and proper way that doesn’t support illegal and immoral puppy farming.

“The Dogs Trust and RSPCA are good places to get advice and information on what you should be looking for.”

Council dog warden Matthew Balderson added:

“Puppy farms and illegal breeders are just in it for the money – they don’t care about the welfare of the dogs and puppies, which often have miserable lives.

“Pitbull-type dogs are illegal – sadly, many are bred either for fighting or are just seen as status symbols. Many are cruelly treated and can be simply abandoned when they’ve served their purpose.

“Using illegal breeders just supports this horrible system.”

The crackdown on illegal puppies was launched after information came in from the public about illegal dog breeding activities in Burnley.

Council and police officers visited three houses and seized bitches and puppies from their owners.

“This was a multi-agency approach with the council and police in particular working closely together,” Mr Balderson said.

“Acting on information we served warrants and seized the dogs and puppies. Puppies can sell for hundreds of pounds, so this hit the illegal breeders in their pockets and took a number of illegal dogs off the streets.”

Duncan Lewis Criminal Lawyers – Public Protection Offences

Duncan Lewis criminal lawyers can advise at any stage of a public protection offence, including charges involving selling counterfeit goods, selling illicit alcohol or tobacco products, illegal puppy farming activities, weights and measures issues, mislabelling offences, food hygiene breaches, selling restricted items to minors and breaches of health and safety regulations.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and in most major cities – and Duncan Lewis can advise on police raids and premises inspections by Trading Standards.

For expert legal advice on public protection offences, call Duncan Lewis criminal lawyers on 0333 772 0409.

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