MP urges BBC to ditch ‘alarming’ designer dog show as thousands sign petition

An MP has urged the BBC to ditch a “shocking” programme into designer dogs – as nearly 80,000 have signed a petition blasting the decision to commission the show.

Tory Dr Neil Hudson, who sits on the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee, said he “urged the BBC to reconsider” putting the programme on air.

He said: "As an MP, vet and dog owner I was alarmed when I heard about the proposed BBC3 show ‘Will my puppies make me rich?’.

"The shocking title itself really shows that the programme could encourage people into thinking that dog breeding is a money making scheme, with no thoughts for animal welfare. In lockdown we have seen a huge increase in the demand for pets, raising prices vastly and potentially fuelling illegal puppy smuggling.

"The Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee, on which I sit, had an evidence session last month where we heard of the horrific consequences of pet smuggling.

"I urge the BBC to reconsider this commission: they would be better commissioning a show highlighting the animal welfare issues related to pet smuggling and promoting responsible pet ownership.”

The show - called Will My Puppies Make Me Rich - is said to “look at some of the 20-somethings looking to launch new businesses breeding designer canines”.

The programme was pitched to BBC3 by Sophia Slater and Helena Rochester in conjunction with Salford-based Nine Lives, who also make Songs of Praise.

But the show has sparked fury from several charities, animal organisations and high profile dog campaigners, including Marc Abraham, the founder of Lucy’s Law.

Yesterday the Royal Veterinary College added their voice to the growing anger around the show.

Dr. Dan O’Neill, Senior Lecturer in Companion Animal Epidemiology at the RVC, said: “The RVC is hugely concerned that this programme will propagate a message that profit is more important than welfare in puppies. Rising demand and dramatically higher prices for puppies since the Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020 may have led to several welfare issues including selling unhealthy puppies, long journeys from breeders to owners and poorly socialised puppies.”

They have signed a letter along with the RSPCA and other organisations and charities urging the BBC to drop the show. They say the show could glamorise breeding as a “get rich quick’ scheme which, in turn, could lead to serious dog welfare issues”.

BBC stars, including Radio 5 Live host Nicky Campbell and Dragon’s Den’s Deborah Meaden also questioned the move. Meaden herself tweeted: “Bad move. Very bad idea.”

PETA’s Director Elisa Allen added: “There will be fury from the animal-loving British public if TV licence money is used to promote the breeding of dogs for sale to unthinking people who could adopt, not shop, and PETA joins every single animal protection group in the UK in calling for the broadcaster to abandon this reckless puppy pimp promo immediately.”

Lucy’s Law founder Abraham has previously called the project “dangerous”.

He added: “I sincerely hope BBC THREE rethinks this terrible idea which only helps to normalise and encourage dog breeding for money; they listen to their license fee-paying animal-lovers across the country, and seriously consider their future plans regarding this show, hopefully choosing a much more responsible, acceptable, and ethical concept to take its place in our TV guides.

The BBC said: “This observational documentary does not glamorise dog breeding, it responsibly examines the growing rise of young people entering the business and highlights the importance of good animal welfare, training and licensing. The production team are working closely with animal experts throughout to inform the audience of what constitutes good and bad practice.”

A source added that the title of the show, which is currently in production, would change before it airs.

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