Logan investigates claims of illegal puppy sales after complaints about black market breeders

Authorities are cracking down on illegal puppy sales after reports of french bulldog pups being sold from vehicles south of Brisbane, sparking an urgent investigation into black market breeders.

Puppies being sold on the roadside. Picture: Contributed

A Logan roundabout and a busy shopping centre will be under surveillance after a number of reports that french bulldog puppies and miniature bulldogs were being sold out of the back of a four-wheel drive vehicle.

Reports this month indicated that vendors were selling the puppies near the Middle Rd and Teviot Rd roundabout prompting concerns from local vets and on local community forums.

Sold through legal dogs breeders, the french bulldog pups can fetch up to $3500.

Logan City Council said it was investigating claims after receiving an anonymous complaint last week.

A council spokesman said the matter was subject to an ongoing investigation and it would be inappropriate to provide further comment.

“The council is actively working with key industry groups to respond to unlawful dog breeding activities in the city,” the spokesman said, speaking generally.

Dog breeders in Logan must meet strict criteria under local laws and state legislation and must vaccinate puppies before 12 weeks old and also microchip them before selling.

Licensed vendors must also display their registration details and record the sales.

Flagstone businesswoman Erika Biel, who owns purebred dogs, witnessed the sales at the Greenbank roundabout.

Sites where people have seen puppies being sold out of a vehicle. Picture: Google

Ms Biel called for the practice of roadside puppy sales to be banned after filming one vendor on the roadside near a service station.

Her plea was backed up by vets at the nearby Furkids Veterinary Clinic on Middle Rd, who did not want to be named.

They said the roadside pups were often not vaccinated or microchipped, which violated regulatory requirements and posed significant health risks to the animals and the public.

More than 100 other residents including Greenbank’s Kerri Anne Kennedy, also joined the online campaign to thwart the roadside practice.

Ms Kennedy witnessed a man in a vehicle with some french bulldog pups on a canvas dog bed in front of the vehicle on Saturday, August 10.

It was the second weekend in a row she had seen puppies being sold at the busy Middle Rd roundabout where she said the pups had attracted a crowd.

Olley’s Orange fruit barn at North Maclean, in Logan, near where some puppies have been sold. Picture: Contributed

“Most think it isn’t right but most people would not know if it was illegal or not,” Ms Kennedy said.

“We are just not sure who to notify as much of this goes on over weekends.”

Logan resident and wildlife carer at Brisbane Area Rescue Network Jace Grant said the practice was not just concentrated in Logan and was widespread across the southeast.

“It’s everywhere and needs to be stopped immediately as it’s unethical and just promoting puppy farms wanting to make a quick buck,” he said.

“It’s not illegal if the vendor is a registered seller.”

The price of french bulldogs could rise if a ban on flat-faced dogs, that was instigated in Norway in 2022, is taken up in Australia.

Dogs Australia said the solution was not banning the breed but rather eradicating irresponsible breeders who fail to do health tests.

Logan council urged people to document and report any concerns regarding animal sales or roadside vending.

Council officers can only act on claims of an alleged offence if evidence exists and it meets requirements under legislation.

The council adopted a new Animal Management Plan last year and is currently developing an enforcement campaign to tackle unlawful and backyard dog breeding.

Originally published as Logan investigates claims of illegal puppy sales after complaints about black market breeders