Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Written evidence submitted by Janetta Bensouilah

I wish to submit my own personal experience of the terrible puppy farming practices that are going on unchecked in the UK.

I rehomed an ex-breeding bitch last year who had been rescued from a Welsh puppy farm. When she was taken in by her fosterer, she was almost bald, severely underweight, had multiple health problems such as prolapsed uterus, cataracts, sarcoptic mange and others. She was so terrified of humans, she would not allow anyone to get near her, when she was picked up, she would go rigid with fear. A year on and we have overcome many of these problems through a lot of time and patience and expensive veterinary care. Most, if not all of them could have been avoided if she had not been used as a breeding machine.

Animals are sentient beings and should not be viewed as commodities. Puppy farming practices in the UK are being swept under the carpet. People are shocked when I tell them about the background my dog has and that she is not one of the worst cases, hundreds if not thousands of breeding dogs live hellish lives and the government is doing nothing, nothing at all to stop this. I laugh when I hear people talk about the British being a nation of animal lovers. All the while puppy farming is allowed to continue, dogs will continue to suffer and no nation could possibly call itself a nation of animal lovers with that going on.

The government would be praised by the dog owning British public if it took this issue seriously and stopped it.

Right now, I scoff at the paltry displays of attention this matter is given by both government and organisations such as the RSPCA.

June 2012