The inspection sought to ensure compliance with regulations on facilities at the shop and the health requirements of the puppies on sale: not to be under 8 weeks old, not to spend more than 3 weeks in the shop, to have had all vaccinations required and proper veterinary care.

Of the 15 puppies on sale in the shop at the time of the inspection (out of 30 in all), canine coronavirus was detected in three compartments and the shop was asked to withdraw all the animals in the affected compartments from sale. Most of the animals from Spain reach the shop without the corresponding identification and do not complete the preceptive quarantine period.

One of the two puppies put into hospital care, diagnosed with coronavirus and a history of parvovirus, with wasting syndrome and clear signs of dehydration, was confiscated as it was at high risk and admitted to hospital. Proceedings have been brought as the vet’s professional qualification has not been validated and they are not a member of the associate body, meaning they are unqualified to implant identification chips on the animals as they had been doing.

Irregularities were also found with the dead bodies of 18 puppies, left in two bags ready to be incinerated. One bag included the animals’ passports, ready to be burnt with them. The passports were confiscated and will be investigated.

Fines for the illegal online sale of animals

The animal protection organisation FAADA formally denounced the Milanuncios and former Vibbo websites in October 2019, for ads selling animals without respecting the by-law on the protection, ownershop and sale of animals (OPTVA), in accordance with Decree 2/2008, of 15 April.

A case was brought which enabled fines to be imposed and paid for the sum of 150,000 euros, even though the company has lodged an appeal which is under consideration.

The Department for the Protection of Animals is currently working closely with the City Police to follow up on reports of non-compliance with animal welfare and possible cases of mistreatment.

Reports of this type numbered 81 in 2020, with 11 formal denouncements made in the first two months of 2021. Practices reported include mistreatment, poor hygiene conditions, insufficient maintenance and inconvenience caused by animals barking or crying.