Tackling Puppy Smuggling: A Crucial Step for Animal Welfare
Following the successful second reading of the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill in Parliament on November 29, the British Veterinary Association (BVA) emphasises the critical need to address puppy smuggling—a growing issue that poses significant risks to animal welfare, public health, and responsible pet ownership.
The Issue of Puppy Smuggling
Puppy smuggling involves the illegal or unethical importation of young dogs, often from overseas breeding operations with poor welfare standards. Unscrupulous breeders and dealers and sometimes criminal gangs, dupe new owners into buying sick or poorly socialised pets which are transported long distances under undesirable conditions. Many puppies are separated from their mothers too early and arrive in the UK with serious health problems, including infectious diseases such as Brucella canis.
Risks to Animal and Public Health
The import of pets via unofficial routes without required health screening and vaccinations not only harms the animals involved but also endangers public health. For instance, the risk of reintroducing rabies—a disease eradicated in the UK—cannot be overstated. Additionally, imported puppies often carry other zoonotic diseases and parasites that pose threats to people and pets alike.
Veterinary professionals routinely witness the devastating impact of smuggling on animals’ physical and mental health. Many pets which have been imported via unofficial routes can also develop behavioural problems and they may require extensive veterinary care.
The Role of the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill
The Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill, introduced by Danny Chambers MP on the 16th of October, offers a critical opportunity to strengthen protections against puppy smuggling as well as risks to cats and ferrets. The Bill proposes measures to address loopholes exploited by smugglers, and it will:
- Help to stop pets being illegal smuggled into the UK: This new legislation will reduce the number of animals that can travel under pet travel rules and enable the government to bring in restrictions such as increasing the minimum age that puppies can enter the country and reduce the number of animals permitted per vehicle.
- Ban imports of animals with mutilations: these new powers will also enable the government to bring in measures to ban the import of animals with mutilations such as cropped ears, practices often linked to smuggling networks and illegal operations. BVA and The FOAL Group have campaigned for this through the #CutTheCrop campaign led by BVA and the #flopnotcrop led by FOAL.
- Help prevent some diseases being imported: the Bill will introduce measures which could help reduce the risk of importing some diseases which are not currently endemic to the UK. By increasing the age at which animals can travel and preventing heavily pregnant bitches from coming to the UK the Bill will reduce the risk of diseases, such as Brucella canis, from being accidentally imported, as there is a heightened risk of transmission associated with pregnancy and abortion.
A United Front for Animal Welfare
BVA calls on MPs and Lords to support this Bill as it progresses through Parliament to prioritise animal welfare and public health. Combating puppy smuggling requires a united effort from policymakers, enforcement agencies, veterinary professionals, and the public and we are confident that this very awaited Bill is a step in the right direction. You can view our campaign on this link.
Every puppy deserves a healthy start in life. By taking decisive action now, the UK can lead the way in ensuring that our borders are not only secure but also compassionate, protecting animals and the people who care for them.
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