The P.E.I. Humane Society says two recent cases point to a disturbing trend of breeders keeping dogs in unfit conditions and adopting out puppies before they are ready to leave their mothers.
The problem, says the society, is worsened by the popularity of buying and selling puppies through social media and other online sites.
The most recent example coming through the Charlottetown animal shelter's doors involved a five-week-old puppy found on the front steps of an Island home. The PEIHS shelter veterinarian determined that the puppy was severely emaciated, non-responsive and unable to exhibit normal reflexes. Later that day, unresponsive to treatment, she had to be humanely euthanized.
The society's animal protection officers learned that the puppy had been adopted only three days before. An investigation is pending to see if other animals are in distress.
“The puppy must have been sick for a period of time. If it was due to starvation, I would see the results in the blood work. She also wasn’t extremely dehydrated," said shelter veterinarian Dr. Rhonda MacDonald.
"The fact is, this puppy should have seen a vet, as a responsible breeder would know. Instead she was taken ill, from her mother and litter mates at only five weeks of age and given to a new home. Even if she was healthy, this can result in major aggression and anxiety when they grow up. These are problems that can never be fixed.”
In a separate case, PEIHS animal protection officers seized 12 puppies and their mother a month ago. They were living in a confined space, on a dirt floor with rocks and little protection from elements or predators. The mother dog had a number of health conditions due to having three separate litters within one year.
Most of the puppies from past litters were also given away by five weeks of age.
The PEIHS recommends that puppies should always remain with their mother until eight to 10 weeks of age. The society says early separation from the litter can lead to behaviour patterns in adult dogs, since they haven't had enough time to socialize with the other puppies in the litter.
No decision has been made in relation to charges for either case, but an investigation is ongoing.
"Due to the popularity of social media and online sites, puppies are easier to sell than ever before," states the society. "Animal protection is seeing a disturbing pattern of puppies being re-homed before eight weeks of age to homes that may not be able to provide the care needed for a new puppy."
The P.E.I. Humane Society says two recent cases point to a disturbing trend of breeders keeping dogs in unfit conditions and adopting out puppies before they are ready to leave their mothers.
The problem, says the society, is worsened by the popularity of buying and selling puppies through social media and other online sites.
The most recent example coming through the Charlottetown animal shelter's doors involved a five-week-old puppy found on the front steps of an Island home. The PEIHS shelter veterinarian determined that the puppy was severely emaciated, non-responsive and unable to exhibit normal reflexes. Later that day, unresponsive to treatment, she had to be humanely euthanized.
The society's animal protection officers learned that the puppy had been adopted only three days before. An investigation is pending to see if other animals are in distress.
“The puppy must have been sick for a period of time. If it was due to starvation, I would see the results in the blood work. She also wasn’t extremely dehydrated," said shelter veterinarian Dr. Rhonda MacDonald.
"The fact is, this puppy should have seen a vet, as a responsible breeder would know. Instead she was taken ill, from her mother and litter mates at only five weeks of age and given to a new home. Even if she was healthy, this can result in major aggression and anxiety when they grow up. These are problems that can never be fixed.”
In a separate case, PEIHS animal protection officers seized 12 puppies and their mother a month ago. They were living in a confined space, on a dirt floor with rocks and little protection from elements or predators. The mother dog had a number of health conditions due to having three separate litters within one year.
Most of the puppies from past litters were also given away by five weeks of age.
The PEIHS recommends that puppies should always remain with their mother until eight to 10 weeks of age. The society says early separation from the litter can lead to behaviour patterns in adult dogs, since they haven't had enough time to socialize with the other puppies in the litter.
No decision has been made in relation to charges for either case, but an investigation is ongoing.
"Due to the popularity of social media and online sites, puppies are easier to sell than ever before," states the society. "Animal protection is seeing a disturbing pattern of puppies being re-homed before eight weeks of age to homes that may not be able to provide the care needed for a new puppy."
