Puppy Scams Part 1

Thousands of puppies being illegally imported to the USA

Background

In the late 80s thru to the early 2000s many cities in California decided to create laws to enforce residential dog breeding.

Owners of intact dogs paid a high licensing fee and a fee for a breeder permit to breed one litter per year.

They were hoping it would help with pet overpopulation. Less dogs bred, more revenue and more dogs adopted from their animal shelters.

In the mid 2000s they decided to make spaying and neutering mandatory for all dogs at 4 months of age up unless they fit a criteria including being registered with an approved dog registry and in some cases paying for a breeder permit even if they were not breeding just in case .

Now in 2011- 12 many cities have banned the sale of puppies from pet shops unless they come from the city shelters or approved non-profit rescues.

Similar laws are spreading to other states.

Unintended Consequences Many responsible breeders stopped breeding for pets. They still have occasional litters for show

dogs. Most of the litters are pre-sold There is now a shortage in many areas of quality raised and American bred and born pet puppies

of almost any breed including the very popular breeds. Enter puppy smuggles, illegal importers and puppy brokers.

In 2000 most imported dogs were single imports reports Dr G. Gale Galland DVM for the CDC. In 2005 it was estimated that 10,000 puppies, were coming into the USA into San Diego to be

sold to the public. Many were smuggled, most were very young. Almost all came in from Mexico By 2006 the estimate was 280,000.

Most imports are coming in from Mexico, Korea, and other countries in Asia. They sell the puppies from $300 to $3000.

The main breeds imported are Yorkshires, Maltese, Shih Tzu, Pomeranians French Bulldogs and their mixes. Other breeds also are imported

Many of the puppies are coming in without shots and far younger than 8 weeks of age. Many should be still nursing on their mothers and are not even weaned.

Puppies were found in glove compartments , wheel wells, truck beds. Many without teeth , drenched in vomit, dehydrated .

According to Simran Zilaro with the San Diego Humane Society ,”Puppy peddling is better than selling drugs. The consequences is far less”

New Laws and Taskforces Adopted Many of the puppies smuggled in from Mexico were not even weaned. Many died

shortly after being sold. To try to stop underage sales California passed a law making it illegal to sell a puppy under 8 weeks of age. You can take a deposit and hold the puppy but if it goes to it’s new home it is a cruelty to animals charge .

Some communities made it illegal to sell puppies in public places, such as parks, street corners, flea markets or parking lots.

Border Puppy task force in CA was set up in 2004. Consisting of 14 animal welfare and law enforcement agencies including US Customs and Border Protection

Los Angeles County’s Border Puppy Task Force in 07 sent letters to Veterinarians (link attached)

Federally in 2008 the Congress passed an amendment to the Animal Welfare Act making it illegal to import puppies for resale if the puppies are under 6 months of age. This includes puppies sold from an American address or the importer arranges to have the puppy shipped directly to you from another country. 122 STAT. 2226 PUBLIC LAW 110–246—JUNE 18, 2008

How are we doing

Puppy peddling has slowed down in the parks. They now sell on side streets out of their vehicles. They also come to you. Other than their cell phone number you are letting strangers into your home. They will see your possessions, security setup and like any good dog seller, ask what happens to the puppy if you are not home. Now you have given them a timeline when no one is home.

The federal law is not being enforced. The CDC not USDA monitors Rabies in imported pets, but its regulations neither require a health screen nor evaluation for specific zoonosis prior to shipping. The CDC dose not have enough inspectors for all the ports of entry, leaving it up to customs and border protection who have no Veterinary training .

CDC requires a confinement agreement to be signed for puppies too young for Rabies vaccinations. From Jan 6, 2006 to Sep 2007 , 5100 were signed at just 15 out of the 20 quarantine stations. In 2006 alone 4000 agreements were violated . (see agreement attachment) Puppies must be kept isolated from all other animals and humans (other than limited to a caretaker) for the entire agreement . Fine is 1 yr in prison and up to a $200,000 fine. If a person should die $500,000. per violation .

Almost all puppies were put up for sale as soon as they landed This year they are amending the regulations to make the law easier to enforce. The new regulations

should be up and going by 2013

How to not fall prey to illegal importer Never meet a puppy seller anyplace except at their home or business If they give you an address and when you arrive it is not a home (park, side street) do not buy

the puppy and get the license plate of the vehicle transporting the puppy. If you do go to the home, if it is in a residential area, be very suspicious, if they have several

puppies (esp. if many breeds) and don’t have the parents. Multiple puppy selling is only legal with a permit as a pet shop or kennel. Only puppies bred

and raised at a private home is legal in most area and usually restricted to 1 litter per year per female (3 litters ) . In areas requiring breeder permits (Los Angeles) only one litter per year/

Ask who their Veterinarian is prior to visiting the puppies Kennel permits are issued in M1 and M2 areas and in RA areas. The permit should be

posted . Pet shops are found in malls and regular retail store areas, Never in residential areas .

Don’t be fooled by nice web sites , or “excuses” as to why they don’t have the parents. Or that imports are special , far better them those bred in the USA

Be very suspicious of mix puppies (designer ), and T Cups, When many puppies are available for sale payment is by cash only without option of a major credit card .

If registered ask to see a copy of the parent’s American registration. Those vetted and approved in Los Angeles are : United Kennel Club (UKC), American Kennel Club (AKC) Continental KC (CKC) American Dog Breeders Assn, Australian Shepherd Club of America, Dog Registry of America ,and American Rare Breed Assn.

Links on this topic La County Border Puppy Taskforce letter to the Veterinarians: http://admin.publichealth.lacounty.gov/vet/docs/BorderPuppiesPubHlth.pdf

Inside the Black Market: Puppy Smuggling (DVM 360 Newsmagazine)

http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/dvm/Veterinary+news/Inside-the-black-market/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/662872

States Crack Down on Puppy Mills (DVM 360)

http://veterinarynews.dvm360.com/dvm/Veterinary+news/Breed-wars/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/658787

Rabid puppy imported to Netherlands (Not the USA but very informative )

http://www.eurosurveillance.org/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=20112

CDC Form for owners or agents of imported puppies

http://www.cdc.gov/AnimalImportation/pdf/dog-import.pdf