Fined for illegally importing pups

MAIDENHEAD: A woman has been fined after she illegally imported puppies into the UK and ran an illegal pet shop from her home.

Monika Tarasovicova, 32, is thought to have brought about 20 to 25 puppies to the country illegally from Slovakia and was also running an illegal pet shop from her Belmont Crescent residence, advertising puppies on well-known pet websites.

She was fined £4,000, with costs awarded of £2,500 and a £170 victim surcharge.

Tarasovicova by-passed rabies protection laws by bringing puppies to the UK – with the animals too young to be administered a vaccine for the disease.

Sarah Stevens, trading standards officer at the Royal Borough, said: “We launched an investigation into this case when a local vet came forward with concerns about a puppy that a client had brought to their surgery.

“When I visited Ms Tarasovicova’s home I found both the original puppy and another, both Shiba Inus, and I made sure they were safely put into quarantine.

“Two independent vets confirmed that the puppies were much younger than the age suggested on the pet passports, meaning they were too young for their rabies vaccinations and could not therefore have been lawfully and safely brought to the UK.”

Ms Stevens added: “Never pay a deposit up-front without seeing the puppy in person. Ask lots of questions and make sure you see all vital paperwork, such as a puppy contract – which gives lots of information about their parents, breed, health, diet, the puppy’s experiences and more.

“If you have any doubts or feel pressured to buy, as hard as it may be, walk away and report the seller.”