Several people arrested for the ‘cruel and unlawful’ sale of puppies across Greater Manchester

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Police arresting a woman in connection with 'cruel and unlawful' dog breeding / Credit: GMP

Several people have been arrested in connection with the ‘cruel and unlawful’ sale of puppies across Greater Manchester.

Following an extensive investigation into the illegitimate and organised sale of puppies, which was carried out by the RSPCA and supported by Greater Manchester Police (GMP), three men aged between 23 and 31, and a 43-year-old woman, have all been arrested on suspicion of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, and fraud by false representation.

It comes after police executed five warrants at addresses in Rochdale and Manchester.

GMP says this important investigation uncovered an illicit underground trade that promotes animal cruelty and neglect.

Sellers and criminal gangs made “vast sums of money” at the expense of innocent puppies and members of the public, with some of the puppies dying shortly after being sold to unsuspecting Greater Manchester residents.

Several people have been arrested for the ‘cruel and unlawful’ sale of puppies across Greater Manchester / Credit: GMP

Members of the public were lead to believe they were buying much-loved family pets, but they may have been imported from overseas instead, according to GMP.

Sergeant Brendan Walsh, from GMP’s Rochdale district, described this as “organised crime”, and said that those involved have been making “eye-watering profits” from this harmful and illicit trade.

“This has been a tremendous joint effort between Greater Manchester Police and the RSPCA’s Special Operations Unit,” Sergeant Walsh continued. “We’ve had members of the public who have paid substantial amounts for these puppies, paid large veterinary fees, and have been left traumatised by their experiences.

“I hope today’s activity will highlight our commitment to tackling this type of crime, and I would urge anyone who feels they have been affected by this to please contact us so we can act.”

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GMP says work remains ongoing at this time, and officers are following several lines of enquiry to “disrupt and prevent” this type of criminality.

Featured Image – GMP