Noel Fitzpatrick has spent time trapped in a cage in a bid to highlight the conditions on some of the UK’s puppy farms.
Star of The Supervet, Prof Fitzpatrick staged the photocall ahead of the new series of Animal Rescue Live, which will explore the puppy trade.
Animals die
Some puppy farms are poorly lit and cramped, and some animals die from infection and genetic deformities, Prof Fitzpatrick said.
To draw attention to the hot and confined conditions some puppies are also transported in, he sat inside a cage in the back of a moving van before posing for a picture.
‘Silent crisis’
Prof Fitzpatrick said: “There is a silent crisis happening right under our noses – a dark secret in the otherwise joyful world of dogs.
“Tens of thousands of puppies are farmed and transported across the UK to be sold to unknowing families. Too young, too weak, too sick. They are woefully neglected and afraid.
“No one should be brought into the world in this way, without love and without certainty, with more care for the profit and not the pup.”
‘Terrible’
Prof Fitzpatrick continued: “I want to show everyone this terrible journey from their eyes, travelling and experiencing the conditions and fears a young puppy would face.
“The more people know about this reality, the more we can work together to stop puppy farming forever.”
Lucy’s Law
It comes after former environment secretary Michael Gove presented a new law to Parliament in May aimed at cracking down on puppy farms.
Known as Lucy’s Law, it will ban the sale of puppies and kittens from third parties from spring 2020, making buyers deal with breeders directly.
Animal Rescue Live airs on Channel 4 in August.