Dogs Trust Ireland has cared for 130 victims of illegal puppy farming already this year.

The animal welfare charity is today launching it’s new ‘End Puppy Farming’ campaign – urging people right around the country to speak out on behalf of the voiceless animals on illegal farms.

It said the puppy farm victims that found their way into Dogs Trust care this year were in truly shocking condition when they arrived.

“The dogs suffered from matted coats and they were caked in their own excrement, with overgrown nails, dental disease, ear infections, skin infections and were described by our Veterinary and Behaviour teams as ‘terrified’ of human contact,” said the charity. “So bad was the condition of the dogs’ coats, many had to be shaved upon arrival.

Vets can usually tell a dog’s age by examining its teeth; however, the charity said many of the animals arriving into care has such severe dental disease, that was impossible.

This year alone, we cared for 130 innocent victims of illegal puppy farming. Dogs so terrified of human contact, they were too afraid to make a sound. Please sign our petition today to help #EndPuppyFarming and the misery and suffering caused by it: https://t.co/lhMATH2c9H pic.twitter.com/hULqEwBp0T

— Dogs Trust Ireland (@DogsTrust_IE) November 8, 2021

Dogs Trust Ireland Executive Director Becky Bristow said: “While the term ‘puppy farm’ may conjure images of fluffy puppies roaming free, nothing could be further from the truth.”

“The condition of the dogs we took in was appalling,” she said.

“Their physical neglect and the pain many of them were in was shocking enough but their sheer terror and avoidance of humans is something that will stay with our team forever.

“When the dogs were discovered and when they arrived into our care, the silence was deafening – they were literally too afraid to bark or indeed make any sound at all.

“Even the sound of our footsteps approaching, had them running to hide and huddle together for comfort. It was absolutely heartbreaking to witness.”

More than 2,000 people around Ireland have signed the End Puppy Farming petition since it launched this morning.

Dogs Trust Ireland Head of Communications Ciara Byrne said it is time to change the demand for puppies to a demand to end puppy farming.

“Sadly, the pandemic has been a puppy farmer’s dream come true,” she said. “The massive demand for dogs, especially designer crossbreeds, saw dogs advertised online at huge prices, meaning huge profits for many unscrupulous, greedy breeders.

“We are pleading with people who buy puppies to please source them responsibly, as failure to get them from a reputable source is supporting this abhorrent trade.

“It’s also creating lives of misery for the parents – especially the mums who churn out litter after litter from dark, squalid little pens.”

You can sign the petition here.