Question
Unlawful Puppy Trade
Answer
1. Police response to Spotlight programme and USPCA report
The Police Service is aware of the recent Spotlight programme and the USPCA report, ‘Puppy Dogs Fortune’. We utterly condemn cruelty to any animal, including the exploitation of puppies in the Puppy Trade.
The regulation and inspection of breeding establishments, the transportation of animals, and the enforcement of any animal welfare offences rests with local Councils and the Department for Agriculture, the Environment and Rural Affairs. The Police Service will investigate any criminal offences that are reported or referred to us.
2. Assessment on organised crime links
Following some scoping work, the Police Service has not detected that trade in puppies is prevalent in currently identified Organised Crime Groups
John Blair MLA - Alliance