Buying and selling dogs repeatedly

[Thesnowfellfast]

My ex has bought 14 dogs in the last 9 years. He gets fed up of them after anywhere from 24 hours to 10 months and then "gets rid of them", either by returning them to the breeder or selling them on pets4homes. I find this hugely irresponsible and it has a knock on effect of upsetting my kids.
The reasons have varied- "it chewed my stuff and kept me up all night", "I haven't got time for a dog", "it's got health problems so I can't deal with it", "it wouldn't listen to me". The list goes on.
This last one was specifically bought as a puppy for my DC. They're now distraught. I tried to warn them not to get too attached but unfortunately they fell in love with the puppy and he 'pink promised' that this one was going to stay.
He's now promised them a new puppy to replace the one he just got rid of!!! I'm beyond annoyed.
Surely this can't be legal? Is there anything I can do to stop him being able to continue this behaviour?

So as to not drip feed: there was DA in our relationship, he's very unreasonable and highly manipulative so there is absolutely no chance of me having an adult conversation with him about this. I feel like the repeated getting rid of dogs was/is a form of emotional abuse that he used on me and is now doing to my DC

This man is a psychopath. I would do everything possible to keep your kids away from him.

@Aquamarine1029 unfortunately contact for my DC is court ordered! I document everything and do the best I can to keep them safe but that's a whole other loooooong thread.

I feel so bad about all of these poor dogs. They're not treated like pets, they're just accessories that he sees as disposable. Much like he treats people really, except they can't speak up for themselves!

Sadly its not uncommon and the people don't seem to link the past experiences to learn that pets aren't for them or they are the common denominator to dogs perceived issues & just keep repeating, assume they enjoy the novelty & attention they get from new pets but not the reality of ownership.
It would be nice to think better the dogs out of that situation than left in a garden and ignored for years but they often get passed about through more unsuitable homes rather than be lucky enough to be responsibly rehomed on by a rescue.

I don't think there's much can do to stop the buying & selling on of pets, maybe if the kids become disinterested & vocally don't want another puppy it will be less appealing, but it sounds like this has been going on years/pre kids so probably not. It's utterly cruel to repeatedly break kids attachments to pets , although I wonder if this type of person experienced same with parent so never properly formed bonds & experienced love for their pets. Luckily your kids have you to explain this isn't normal or ok adult behaviour.

It's horrendous but there's nothing illegal about what he's doing.

How old are the children?

That's beyond awful! Those poor dogs and your poor dc.

Sadly the lack of regulation regarding dogs in this country means people are pretty much free to do as they please provided the animal is not abused or neglected. Although in my eyes, passing an animal as emotionally intelligent as a dog from to pillar to post is abusive and setting up an animal to have behaviour problem and end up in a shelter or worse.

As sad as it is about the dogs there is little you can do except contact RSPCA and ask their advice but again if the animals aren't neglected I doubt they can do anything to help.

But definitely worth keeping a log of all this and noting that you are concerned he is repeatedly bringing new dogs home which are unknown whether to be suitable to live with children. It might not be illegal but it certainly is an example of irresponsible behaviour.

As for your DC, it's so hard for them getting upset by puppies being sent back. As they get older they will come to realise he always let's them down. All you can do is keep explaining that he will probably change his mind again with the next dog and tell them it's not fair but you can't tell him what to do.

Thanks for the replies. The DC are 5 and 8. 8 year old is the one suffering the most and has been in bits over this last one. School are helping out with emotional support where needed. I've tried warning them, and know they'll see it for what it actually is eventually, but it's killing me in the meantime having to mend broken hearts.

I've tried contacting pets4homes about blacklisting his account but I doubt I'll get anywhere with it.
Everything that he does falls short of being a criminal offence for the RSPCA to take action.

It's shocking that people can treat animals like chattels and get away with it. There really should be some sort of regulation!

Can you put your dh on homes4pets and keep the puppy?

Can you take the next one? Get the dc to bring it for visits, and gradually not return it?

I suppose that just means he gets another one. What a shame.

Is there form with the types of dogs he buys? Are they always a particular breed or type. If for instance he always goes for spaniels I would maybe contact spaniel aid and the breed clubs with him name and picture and see if they can get his details out to some of the breeders? There are also Facebook groups for particular breeds - contact the admins and see if they can say that they have a warning for breeders of breeders reach out?

obviously you don’t want to be publishing his face or doing anything that he can tie back to you, but this might make it a little harder for him?

if you also think he is using the dogs as a form of abuse to you I would record the details of these events and pass them back to your legal representative.

OP are you sure your ex isn't buying and then selling these dogs as 'bait dogs' for dogfighting?

Have a talk to your local RSPCA and every dog rescue in the area and also national ones - they will advise you.

This contains upsetting material ;

metro.co.uk/2018/11/29/dogs-trauma-at-being-used-as-bait-for-dog-fighting-8191304/

Unfortunately I am currently in a rented property and our landlord has already told us that having a dog is a hard no.
I managed to persuade the landlord to allow us to have a cat, who we've had for 2 years so far, and hopefully the DC will learn that pets are a lifelong commitment and that you don't just dump them when you're bored or can't be bothered any more.

@SarahSissions the breeds have varied but it does tend to be labradors and German shepherd's. Thats a pretty good idea, I will have a look into it today. He doesn't tend to travel all that far for them either so alerting breeders within a 50 mile radius should be slightly easier.
I know I'd feel gutted as a breeder sending the pups off thinking they're going to a happy forever home and then getting them back a few days/weeks/ months later or seeing them relisted for sale as someone can't be bothered to be a responsible owner.
I know that sometimes thing happen and dogs need to be rehomed but 14 in 9 years is beyond a bloody joke!

@Oceans12 I don't think he's doing that. He bought and sold/gave back a few dogs during our our relationship and they always either went back to the breeder or were sold on. Not for cheap either, all of them have been KC reg and sold on for the same/more than what he bought them for. Easily in excess of £1000 each time.
Would you believe it that DC have just been on the phone and daddy has arranged to view another dog!😡