Thread: Border Patrol Seizes Puppies In Sting Operation

Border Patrol Seizes Puppies In Sting Operation

POSTED: 3:16 pm PDT September 18, 2007
UPDATED: 4:05 pm PDT September 18, 2007


SAN DIEGO -- Puppies smuggled into San Diego through the U.S.-Mexico border are cute, cuddly and -- in many cases -- sick, authorities said.

Two Chihuahua puppies were recently seized by San Diego County Animal Control just moments after they were smuggled. The seizure was all part of a two-week sting operation by the Border Patrol Task Force.

Lt. Daniel DeSosa of County Animal Services said, "What we are looking for are any dogs with the emphasis on puppies being smuggled across."

DeSosa said the last thing anyone should do is buy a puppy from a street corner or a parking lot. He said consumers should make sure they are getting a healthy puppy from a breeder, a shelter or rescue center.

According to authorities, 1,500 dogs cross the international border at Otay and San Ysidro yearly. So far in 2007, 22 smuggled have been seized and confiscated, with some puppies as young as two weeks old. Authorities said the biggest problem they have run into is many of the dogs are sick.

"It is a big problem. We don't know how big because a lot of it is undercover operation, smuggling puppies across the border," DeSosa said. "A lot of puppies we see end up suffering and dying."

Authorities said buying a smuggled puppy could mean unexpectedly high veterinarian bills.

DeSosa said, "What we see in dogs coming across are worms, diseases transferable to other dogs and also transferable to humans."

According to authorities, the number of smuggled puppies will rise in the next few months, particularly due to the Christmas season.

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Authorities said buying a smuggled puppy could mean unexpectedly high veterinarian bills.

DeSosa said, "What we see in dogs coming across are worms, diseases transferable to other dogs and also transferable to humans."

And if the situation is NOT as stated above that means it would be OKAY? Excuses are just that! We have rules, we have 'rulers' and plenty of bull! And PS, we have an enormous amount of darling, wonderful and gorgeous puppies that are euthanized daily in our own country, so no need for imports!

we have an enormous amount of darling, wonderful and gorgeous legal American Citizens that are outsourced daily in our own country, so no need for imports ...