NORTH Wiltshire MP James Gray has put his weight behind a campaign to stop the illicit and cruel UK puppy trade.

Mr Gray is supporting a new public awareness campaign launched by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) to target the problem.

Puppies often suffer serious illnesses and behavioural issues in later life as a result of being transported across Europe inhumanely and, with the industry booming, the problem is only getting worse.

The IFAW has devised a guide, knowns as PUPS, to help anyone looking to buy a puppy to ensure they know what to look for to avoid buying an unhealthy, possibly puppy farmed animal.

The PUPS mnemonic stands for parents, underage, papers, sickness.

It urges potential buyers of puppies to check if the puppy is with its mother, it has reached legal age for sale, all its papers are available and in order, and it is healthy and energetic.

Mr Gray said: “I am very pleased to support this important IFAW campaign to help make people aware of the potential pitfalls before buying a puppy which may have been farmed in squalid conditions and taken from its mother too soon, before it is eight weeks of age.”

“It is terrible to think of these puppies being transported a great distance by dealers with little or no thought for their health or welfare.

“The mothers suffer greatly too, being made to produce litter after litter of puppies until they have outlived their usefulness.”

Philip Mansbridge, UK Director of IFAW, said he was “grateful” for James Gray’s support.

“As a nation of dog lovers, none of us wants to be part of the cruel puppy industry,” he said.

“I am sure people will be shocked to find out that many much-loved pet dogs in the UK have suffered a horrible start in life with ill effects that may last through their lifetime.

“In the worst scenarios, owners suffer too when their much-loved puppy quickly gets sick and dies.

“This is the reality of the heartless UK puppy trade. IFAW always advocates adopting a happy and healthy puppy or dog in need of a home from your local shelter.

“But for those who wish to buy from a breeder, we believe our P.U.P.S campaign arms people with the information they need to make the right choice.”

An online mock advert for a children’s toy, the Suzy puppy, has been produce by IFAW to highlight the problem with the illegal puppy trade.

The PUPS film was screened at a parliamentary reception for MPs who were presented with their own Suzy puppy toys to remind them of the need for measures to combat the puppy trade.

The film can be found online at ifaw.org/puppytrade