The market for illegally-traded puppies is now worth £13m, according to the Crown Office.
Some sought-after designer breeds, such as chow chows or cavapoos, can be priced up to £3,000.
Laura Buchan, procurator fiscal for Specialist Casework, urged those planning to buy a dog over Christmas to double-check the legitimacy of sellers. "Illegal puppy farming has grown significantly among Serious Organised Crime Gangs as a vital way of raising finance.According to the SMASTA report, there are currently three SOCGs involved in the illicit puppy trade, and a further seven groups recorded as having links to puppy farms and dog-trading businesses.
"We would urge anyone considering buying a puppy to look into breeders before committing to purchasing.Puppies bought from unlicensed breeders frequently suffer from behavioural issues, congenital health defects and infectious diseases.
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