An animal welfare organization has urged British breeders of pedigree dogs to stop exporting them to the Far East until the region introduces better laws banning cruelty to animals.

The World Society for the Protection of Animals said that, after a year-long investigation, it wanted to stop the trade with Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea and Thailand in expensively-priced breeds, such as dalmatians and Yorkshire terriers.

It said pet-shops often held dogs in overcrowded or insanitary conditions and many were bought on a whim and abandoned in the street.

The Society said the dogs then faced the prospect of starving or being caught and put down or butchered as meat.