EXCLUSIVE: The real life horror behind Coronation Street’s illegal puppy farm storyline

Viewers of Coronation Street will be horrified in the new year when Evelyn and Cassie uncover the brutality of a puppy mill which the producers worked closely with the RSPCA to portray accurately

Viewers will be horrified by what Evelyn and Cassie Plummer of Coronation Street discover when they investigate an illegal puppy farm in the new year.

And after creating the terrifying scenes under tight supervision from the RSPCA to make people aware of the terrible truth of the cruel trade, it is precisely the response the soap opera seeks.

Following Evelyn’s confrontation with gangster Terry for mistreating his dog and subsequent rescue, viewers have previously shown Terry threatening Evelyn, portrayed by Maureen Lipman, and attacking her grandson Tyrone. Also, she and her daughter Cassie (Claire Sweeney) will discover in January that the antagonist maintains a puppy farm at his residence.

Screenwriters were informed by RSPCA inspector Herchy Boal about this upsetting subject after he assisted in the rescue of over eighty dogs from an unlawful farm in the Midlands. “Puppy farms are more common than people realise,” asserts Herchy. Ninety breeding female dogs might be housed in adjacent pens inside a single barn. They are not cared for by people on a regular basis, thus they never see daylight, never exercise, never go on walks, and sometimes are fed by automated feeders. Because the dog enclosures aren’t cleaned, all of the dog poop is also inside.

“I hadn’t realised these puppies are sold for £2,000 and these people are not registered,” remarks 77-year-old dog enthusiast Maureen. Even after Lucy’s Law was implemented three years ago to prohibit these inhumane methods, unlicensed breeders continue to deceive people by going to great measures.

Herchy cautions that residences that seem typical are often fronts. Puppies purchased in Wales or Ireland at a lower cost are brought to leased, partly furnished houses in England together with a fictitious “mother” dog in order to be sold for a greater price.

Herchy issues a warning: “They purchase vaccination cards and affix phoney stamps to them, even though they claim the puppies are fully vaccinated.” Breeders may also be abrasive, claiming that this is the last one. Always stand back and trust your gut feeling. Pay attention to warning signs if they are present.

According to her, buyers may be so engrossed in the puppy that they fail to understand the paperwork are phoney until it is too late. Pets may also be in really poor condition, resulting in expensive veterinary care. Herchy claims that “many have worms and fleas.” Many will get parvovirus since they had no vaccinations. They lose a significant quantity of blood, throw up, and have diarrhoea as a result of it.

Furthermore, farmed pups often tragically die because they are taken from their moms too young and are not given enough food. Herchy, a 23-year member of the RSPCA, recalls a woman who purchased a West Highland terrier from a puppy farm and said, “Her pup died within an hour of buying it.” Another 13-year-old girl I knew discovered her dog had passed away in its basket when she walked downstairs. Furthermore, I know investigators, medical professionals, nurses, and even judges who have been duped thoroughly. These are genuine accounts of heartache.

Terry locating Evelyn

Herchy says she enjoys her work, although it may be challenging at times. A puppy farmer made me feel intimidated. I had to alter my workday and my homecoming route,” she explains. She also commends the ITV soap opera for addressing the problem, stating that Maureen and Claire “wanted to get it right.”

“Everyone at Corrie demonstrated their genuine concern, and they were incredibly considerate of the entire process.” We at the RSPCA were quite touched by that. This tale has a wide range of effects.

Avoid being duped.

The RSPCA suggests searching phone numbers and descriptions on Google to check whether they exist in other advertising in order to spot phoney puppy advertisements. Words like “teacup” and “miniature” may be used by traders to profit from prevailing use. You may check whether photographs have been used elsewhere by doing a right-click on them and choosing “search Google for image.”

Verify the puppy’s age if an advertisement claims that it has had vaccinations, since this is not permitted prior to four weeks of age. Additionally, keep in mind that a puppy that is promoted as possessing a passport was most likely imported. Furthermore, advertisements that make claims like “free insurance” and “puppy packs” are not always from reputable breeders.

Lucy’s Directive

Anyone in England who wants a new puppy must either adopt from a rescue facility or purchase one from a breeder after Lucy’s Law was established in 2020. The statute bears Lucy’s name. In 2013, Lucy, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, was rescued from appalling circumstances at a puppy farm in South Wales.

Dog breeders with licences must display their pups interacting with their moms at the birthplace. Selling without a licence carries a six-month prison sentence or an infinite fine.

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