Experts are warning the problem is getting much worse as poorly puppies are brought into the country by the sick gangs
With no interest in the welfare of the tiny animals in their care, up to 100 gangs are selling puppies that have been illegally trafficked into Britain.
Experts warn the appalling problem is becoming much worse.
The sick gangs – including a trio jailed last week after making £35,000 a week – are earning an estimated £100million a year.
Pups born in disgusting farms across Ireland and Eastern Europe are transported into Britain with fake documents.
The dogs, often riddled with disease, are also kept in horrific conditions here before being sold to animal lovers who believe they are buying a healthy and happy pet.
Chief inspector Ian Briggs, from the RSPCA’s Special Operations Unit , said: “The gangs pretend to be legitimate breeders but they are hiding the fact they are turning over hundreds of dogs as quickly as possible with no regard for the animals’ welfare.
“The new owners are saddled with huge vet bills or the dog dies within a few weeks.”
He added: “Dogs can be reared in truly horrendous conditions and bred for a
fraction of the cost.
“A designer cockapoo or French bulldog bred in a puppy farm in Ireland or Poland might cost 100 euros but could be sold for £1,500 over here.
“Every day hundreds of dogs are being brought into the country in this way. With the lead up to Christmas, it’s reaching epidemic levels.
“We are dealing with a massively worsening problem across the country.
“There could be up to 100 of these criminal gangs . They are operating like drug cartels.”
In less than three years animal welfare agencies have rescued thousands of dogs from the traffickers and puppy farms.
The gang put behind bars last week sold more than 800 sick and dying puppies.
Peter Jones, Julian King and his sister Grace Banks, all from Manchester, were caught after a five-year investigation by the RSPCA – thought to be the biggest ever probe of its type.
When RSPCA officers raided a property in Stockport, Greater Manchester , connected to the gang they found four Yorkshire terrier pups that had died from starvation.
An officer said they suffered “the most horrific death”.
There were 87 live puppies at the house in various states of health.
Video footage shows tiny puppies in crowded buckets.
The recording also shows a dead puppy in a pen with a live dog.
Stockport magistrates jailed King for six months, and Jones and Banks for five months each.
Lilly Cooper aka Grace Banks seen leaving Stockport Magistrates after facing charges for animal cruelty.
The gang used numerous fake names and addresses and even set up a “pedigree registration” firm to con people into thinking they were buying pups that had been well cared for.
The vile gang sold puppies at an average price of £600 each.
The breeds included huskies, West Highland terriers, Labradors, beagles, shih tzus, and French bulldogs.
The RSPCA has rehomed the puppies seized during the investigation.
Jones and King breached their 10-year bans on keeping dogs after previously being successfully prosecuted by the RSPCA for animal cruelty offences.
All three have now been banned from keeping any animals for the rest of their lives. King must pay £2,500 costs, Jones £2,100 and Banks £4,500.
The dogs were rescued in Hull in 2013 after being trafficked from abroad.
Mr Briggs said: “These gangs are highly sophisticated and they have huge earning potential. The level of fraud is staggering.
"The gangs are faking dog passports, forging documents and doctoring their routes across Europe to make them seem like they are legitimate businesses.
“We estimate the illegal industry is worth in excess of £100million.”
He said nothing is known about the health of many of the dogs being imported, adding: “Many are ill before they arrive and others could be carrying diseases such as rabies which could have a huge public heath risk.
"This is all extremely concerning.”
Welfare groups are lobbying the government to bring in stronger regulations to combat the problems.
The RSPCA is calling for laws that would mean anyone selling a puppy would need to have a licence.
Strong penalties and fines would be dealt out to anyone caught selling a puppy without a licence.
And a national database of puppy sellers funded by licence fees would also be created to aid enforcement.
Mr Briggs warned: “The increase in dogs coming here from Eastern European, on top of the dogs being trafficked from Ireland and the rest of Europe, has heightened the need for immediate legislation on the illegal imports of puppies.
“Buyers must remember their responsibilities when researching and purchasing a dog because it can lead to high bills and in the worst cases disease and death.”
