The Scottish SPCA has raised fresh concerns about the growing low-welfare puppy trade.
The warning comes after a rise in reports from dog owners worried their pets may be linked to recently convicted puppy dealers.
The animal welfare charity says these individuals remain active in organised criminal networks fuelled by public demand.
A Scottish SPCA Special Investigations Unit inspector said: "The recent cases have understandably raised concerns among puppy owners, but it is important for the public to understand that the low-welfare puppy trade does not begin and end with one individual.
"This is a highly profitable criminal activity that often involves networks of breeders and dealers working together.
"While awareness is growing, many of these puppy dealers are still operating today, which is why public vigilance is so important in helping us tackle the issue."
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The charity is urging anyone buying a puppy to ask for documentation, including microchipping records, vaccination cards, evidence of flea and worming treatment, and insurance details.
This information is vital if a dog is later found to be illegally bred or sold, as it can be crucial in launching an investigation.
The Scottish SPCA leads the Pet Trade Taskforce, a multi-agency group focused on disrupting the low-welfare puppy trade.
In the past five years, the charity has received 2143 calls to its confidential helpline about suspected low-welfare breeding operations.
In just the last two years, officers have attended 351 incidents related to the trade.
The puppy trade is not only a welfare issue – it is also a financial one.
Some designer breeds fetch up to £3000 each, with profits funding organised crime.
Puppies involved are often bred and kept in poor, inhumane conditions.
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The Scottish SPCA offers clear advice for potential pet owners.
The charity says buyers should always visit the breeder in person, see the environment where the puppy is raised, and ensure the mother is present with the litter.
Buyers should avoid any situation where the seller refuses entry or tries to hand over the puppy away from the property.
If something feels off or the origins of the puppy can’t be verified, the charity urges people not to buy the animal, even if they believe they are "rescuing" it.
Purchasing from illegal breeders can unintentionally help sustain the trade.
The Scottish SPCA is asking the public to report any suspected cases of organised animal welfare crime through its Special Investigations Unit.
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