Prosecutors have warned Fife residents that puppies bought from illegal breeders as festive gifts are financing organised crime gangs.
The unlawfully bred dogs, typically sold via social media and small ad sites, generate significant revenue for drug traffickers and money launderers.
Thousands of pounds are channelled into Scotland's criminal underworld each year from these puppy farms, with some designer breeds fetching as much as £3,000.
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has made a plea to those intent on buying a puppy at Christmas, urging them to only buy from legitimate breeders.
They noted that, in the last five years, the Scottish SPCA has received 2,143 calls regarding suspected puppy farms and illegal puppy breeding, including 220 this year.
Sineidin Corrins, Procurator Fiscal at COPFS, said: "It is understandable that many parents may be considering buying a puppy for their children at this time of year as a Christmas present.
"However, we would urge people to carry out proper research and only purchase puppies from legitimate breeders."
Many animals trafficked by puppy farmers endure severe health issues, resulting in high vet bills for their new owners, or, in many cases, they fail to survive into adulthood.
Mr Corrins added: "Illegal puppy farming has grown significantly among serious organised crime gangs as a way of raising finance."
Mr Corrins shed light on the enormity of the problem, urging potential buyers to be wary of buying from illegal dog breeders to avoid inadvertently supporting the pernicious trade.
He added, "By doing this, you are also helping to choke off a revenue supply to serious organised crime gangs and reducing the harm they inflict on Scottish communities."
Hannah Medley, the Scottish SPCA’s special investigations unit lead, echoed these concerns: "The low-welfare puppy trade continues to be a serious problem across Scotland.
"Dogs caught up in this trade are kept in appalling conditions, born into filthy, overcrowded environments and denied proper care, leaving many with lasting health and behavioural problems."
"This industry is profit-driven, prioritising financial gain over the health and welfare of the puppies, leading to significant and preventable suffering".
Reiterating the COPFS's advice, she urged the public not to purchase puppies online unless the seller and breeding conditions can be verified.
"Anyone looking to buy a puppy this Christmas should thoroughly research the breeder, insist on seeing the mum, be confident they have the lifestyle and financial means to care for that puppy for its full life, and importantly do not purchase and walk away if something doesn’t feel right."
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