The illegal trade in puppies is a lucrative business – to the chagrin of the animals. How can you stop it – or is it even possible? We spoke to Sabine Winkelmann, who runs an animal shelter near Budapest.
In the Vox report “The merciless business with puppies” Martin Rütter deals with the puppy trade – in its illegal form, after drug and arms trade, it is one of the most lucrative businesses in Germany. He wants to know: what makes this business so lucrative for retailers? How can you stop it or – is that even possible? A conversation with Sabine Winklmann, who is in the club “Doberman Rescue HUNGARIA eV” among other things for dogs in distress.
Ms. Winklmann, you run an animal shelter near Budapest. For a Vox report (“The Merciless Deal With Puppies, Tuesday, April 5, 2022 at 8:15 p.m) you traced the machinations of dog dealers in Hungary. What did you experience there?
We initially spent months locating operations. This is not so easy and has to do with the fact that many of these dog stations operate largely in secret. The operators use disused farms and sheds in the countryside; what they are doing there is hardly visible from the outside. Only up close do you realize that there is still something going on. Finally, we were able to track down the addresses of some puppy producers and middlemen who deliver animals to Germany.
What is it like in such dog breeding stations?
It is not for nothing that the companies keep their activities a secret, because the housing conditions in the puppy productions are horrific. You have to imagine it like this: you enter a dark building, usually there is no or very little daylight. As soon as the door is opened, an unbelievable noise breaks out because the animals are very skittish. You will also be greeted by an acrid smell of ammonia mixed with that of carcasses.
If a bitch can’t have any more offspring, she simply doesn’t get any food – until she dies
You will see badly affected animals kept in cramped and filthy allotments on the concrete floor. You see emaciated dams because these bitches are often drugged to allow them to have puppies several times a year. And you see half-starved animals, because if a bitch can’t have any more offspring, she simply doesn’t get food – until she dies. It’s cruel, and I’m sure you’ll find something if you pick up a spade in the vicinity of these companies.
How many animals are kept in such a facility?
That is very different. Until recently, there were an average of around 200 to 300 animals in such multiplication stations – including puppies. Since the beginning of the year, however, stricter criminal laws have been in force in Hungary for animal welfare violations. This does not only apply to dog breeding alone, but also, for example, to illegal dog fights, which are still widespread in Hungary. In any case, it is now more common for a farm to be busted and the animals confiscated. In order to minimize possible losses, the operators are therefore currently switching to smaller breeding units. Especially in the southeast of Hungary you can buy an old stable or shed for very little money. This is how increasingly small satellite farms with 10 to 20 animals are emerging. They are well shielded and are hardly noticeable. If no attentive neighbor complains, the risk of being caught is extremely low.
Which dog breeds are in Hungarian productions?
The dealers usually rely on small dogs for economic reasons, because more of them fit into the crates. These are modern breeds such as the Maltese, Chihuahua, Pug, Dachshund or French bulldog – recently also in ‘merle’, i.e. with brightly colored spots.
Hungary is an EU country. Is dog breeding regulated too laxly there?
Anyone can breed dogs there, but ultimately it’s no different in Germany. If you want, you can cover your bitch here and have a litter carried – and then sell the puppies. Whether it is a private ‘hobby breed’ or commercial breeding depends on the number of fertile bitches kept. Commercial operators must prove their expertise and are registered with the veterinary office. In Hungary, the municipalities and cities also partially limit the number of animals per property. In essence, the legal situation in the individual countries does not differ that much. However, there is a lack of enforcement in Hungary.
How many dogs are “produced” in Hungary every year?
There are only estimates. After that, one can assume a few hundred thousand puppies per year, most of which are destined for export. The animals are therefore specifically produced to be transported to Belgium, Holland, Germany and sometimes also to Italy or even to Spain. A very lucrative logistics business has also developed around breeding under often illegal conditions.
New puppies are offered every minute on relevant websites
When is trading illegal?
It is forbidden if puppies are brought to Germany before they are 15 weeks old. They cannot be effectively vaccinated against rabies until the twelfth week; In addition, there are three weeks for the build-up of vaccination protection. How do you get those deadlines? If all the rules are followed and the animals have the correct papers, then cross-border trade is legal. The problem is that the deadlines are often missed and the dates of birth in the vaccination cards are backdated, because the earlier the animals are sold, the lower the costs for the breeder. In addition, many animals are ill due to the poor rearing conditions, some suffer from serious infections such as filariasis, some of which can also develop dangerous or at least unpleasant consequences for people with weak immune systems, since they are zoonoses. Animals from the puppy trade are never tested and then bring these infections with them completely unnoticed.
What makes the puppy trade so lucrative?
Selling prices have risen sharply since the corona pandemic. The multiplier farms collect around 200 euros for an animal; that’s a good deal considering the low cost in Hungary. Intermediaries buy these animals and transport them to Germany in small trucks. I estimate their margin at around 300 euros per piece. The biggest cuts are made by the sellers at the end of the chain, who charge between 1200 and 1500 euros for a puppy. They wash their hands innocently and tell the customers that the animals come from loving family rearing.
Where are the animals offered?
In Belgium and Holland the puppies come to Puppy Stores. These shops are completely normal in these countries, multilingual advertising signs are usually set up on the access roads so that tourists can also find their way. In Germany, where conventional pet shops do not sell dogs and cats, Hungarian animals end up with specialized dog wholesalers or online shops. New puppies are offered every minute on relevant websites.
What should you consider when buying a dog?
In general, you should stay away from imported animals from Hungary and Romania or from purchases on the Internet. If you want to have a puppy, it is best to contact reputable breeders nearby, where you can get to know the housing conditions and the mother animal. Or adopt a dog from an animal shelter. There it is also guaranteed that the animals are examined for diseases.