In the corona pandemic, the illegal trade in puppies has increased enormously. This is the conclusion of a study by Vetmeduni, for which 227 veterinarians were interviewed. The affected dogs are mainly from Romania, followed by Hungary and Bulgaria.
Respondents from Austria, Germany and Switzerland suspected that one-fifth of the foreign dogs they had handled came from the illegal dog and puppy trade. Only four percent said no animal was suspected between March 2020 and March 2021.
More illnesses
According to the vets, not only has the number of young animals from the illegal trade increased, but also the number of sick puppies. Up to a quarter of the animals from abroad – mainly Romania (73 percent), Hungary (61 percent) and Bulgaria (43 percent) – are sick on arrival or become sick shortly afterwards. “Infestations with worms, fleas and mites or diarrhea and vomiting were the most common. The most commonly diagnosed infectious disease goes back to the parovirus,” says Clair Firth of Vetmeduni Vienna. She conducted the research together with one of her students.
The increased occurrence of paroviruses was already confirmed by a study by the Vetmeduni and the Ombudsman for Animal Welfare in Vienna in the spring of 2021. According to them, since the start of the corona pandemic, 40 percent more dogs have been seriously ill than before. Another problem with illegally trafficked dogs is rabies. Romania and Bulgaria are not rabies-free, the animals are often not vaccinated. Other routine vaccinations, such as against the aforementioned parovirus or against distemper, were also often not carried out. In addition, the animals are usually younger than stated in their passport.
False promises tempt you to buy
One of the questions to the vets was why people keep buying animals illegally. They mainly suspect false promises, such as a special lineage, fake photos or a nice website. The corona pandemic has also given digitization a huge boost. “The demand for puppies was so great that many simply ordered a dog with the click of a mouse,” said Eva Persy, head of the Vienna Ombudsman for Animal Welfare. But even puppy portals with an “.at” ending can be fake.
According to their study, the Vetmeduni and the animal protection ombudsman in Vienna only appeal to purchase dogs after careful consideration and extensive information about the animal and its origin. This prevents suffering for both animals and people.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
