Charity Urge Online Ad Site To Remove Animal Ads

An animal charity has said that research conducted into online trading of animals has left them "shocked at the enormity of animal abuse and the unacceptable volume of puppy trading that has been unearthed."

The Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA) carried out research into online animal trading, presenting their findings to online companies.

The DSPCA presented DoneDeal, the largest seller of animals online, with information on a series of multiple adverts which we had identified on their site. One of the cases presented by the DSPCA included an as of yet, unidentified trader, who had in excess of 10 advertisements of different puppy breeds involving over 40 animals. There are also a number of similar cases under investigation.

DSPCA says that is has found a number of issues of concerns including:

• Advertising of an unauthorised Horse Fair in Kildare in March.

• Images showing inappropriate treatment of animals including unsuitable living conditions for bitches and pups.

• Sellers allowed to advertise multiple animals and litters of puppies.

• Selling of restricted Veterinary medicines.

• Selling of questionable dog training/deterrent devices.

• Selling of puppies/dogs with illegally mutilated body parts such as docked tails.

• Selling of guard dogs.

• Selling of animal trapping equipment.

On Wednesday evening, the DSPCA recommended that DoneDeal remove its animal selling section from its website with immediate effect. The DSPCA felt this was appropriate so as to provide time to implement adequate controls for the online selling of animals. The DSPCA offered its assistance in developing these controls.  We note, with disappointment, that DoneDeal has declined our recommendation.

The DSPCA is urging all animal welfare agencies who advertise on DoneDeal to cease from doing so immediately and to join with the DSPCA in alerting the general public of the significant animal welfare issues that sites such as these foster.

The DSPCA is continuing its investigations through other channels and the DSPCA will not stop until there are adequate and responsible controls for the online selling of animals in Ireland or alternatively these sites are closed down.

(MH/CD)