Three held over suspected illegal puppy farms

In safe hands: one of the 23 puppies seized at a property in Valentine Street yesterday in the care of RSPCA inspector Gilly Howard and Police sergeant Jon Martin

THREE people were arrested when suspected illegal puppy farms were raided by police yesterday.

Neighbourhood police and RSPCA inspectors found 39 puppies in a continuing investigation into the sale of sick animals.

Twenty-three pups - including Yorkshire terriers, Chihuahuas and Pomeranians - were seized from a house in Valentine Street, Failsworth. Two needed treatment. A woman was arrested.

A 27-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of animal welfare offences.

A 28-year-old man was arrested on similar offences following a raid at a property in Fields New Road, Chadderton, where 16 puppies were seized.

RSPCA chief Inspector Cathy Hyde said there had been several complaints from puppy buyers leading up to the raids.

She said: “There are some welfare issues. A lot of puppies were taken from their mothers too soon. The conditions where they were kept were horrific and shocking. They’ve not had a good start in life. It’s a massive problem.”

Puppies can be bought from Eastern Europe for as little as £8-£20 - and sold for £800-£1,500.

“They’re doing it to make money, they don’t care about the animals,” said Mrs Hyde.

Police inspector Karen Taylor said the puppies were made to look healthy but were ill when sold. The puppies would start to display signs of illness after a couple of weeks.

Chief inspector Ian Briggs of the RSPCA’s special operations unit, said: “If you are ever in any doubt about the origin, condition or background of a puppy, don’t buy.”

The puppies are now in the care of the RSPCA.