Originally from: coleen
                        
Hi Mona

I believe they have good working connections with the RSPCA and also visit local horse auctions and pick up on the 'buzz' They keep a low profile, and have worked their way into the 'in' crowd. Also they get contacted by people who scan the local papers and pick up when one of the sales is going down. You have to know what you are looking for though, so I was told. It is not advertised as what it is. When you get there, dogs, puppies and horses galore being traded and some in dreadful conditions. The Welsh Borders and Worcestershire to name but a few areas of where these sales are common. They are well visited, so the word must get out.

Yes Ireland would fit the pattern, so many animals there, puppy farming, the trade in keeping exotic animals, horse trading and dealing would fit in well.

The missing dogs bureau have been collecting information regarding stolen dogs from around the Country, they say that 50 thousand is probably low. Information is very fragmented and difficult to collect, lets face it stolen dogs are not a high priority. When I spoke to them last Border Collies were being targeted.

Most dogs thefts, (by that I mean when a large number of dogs go from one area over a small amount of time) do seem to coincide, with the travelling fraternity having been in the area. Some people have even had to pay to get their dog back from these people. So they steal them, to sell them back to you. Why not go to the Police? Well if they saw the Police arriving, I guess you would never see your dog again.

Horse passports, micro chipping, whatever will not stop this misery and suffering.

Coleen