Brexit crackdown on pup smugglers
CAMPAIGNERS want the Government to use new post-brexit freedoms to tackle puppy smuggling.
It has been urged to raise the minimum age a puppy can be imported into the UK from 15 weeks to six months.
The charity Dogs Trust insists bold action is needed to crack down on the cruel practice.
After a survey of 2,000 people it found three in 10 would be willing to buy a puppy, even if they thought it may have been illegally smuggled.
Paula Boyden, veterinary director of the Dogs Trust, said: “Every year thousands of puppies are smuggled across Central and Eastern Europe to be missold to UK dog lovers.
“Many suffer significant health problems and life-long behavioural challenges as a result, and some may not survive. Now the Brexit transition period has ended it is entirely in the hands of the Government to change UK pet travel legislation and end the suffering of these dogs. Pups are continuing to pay for every day of delay.
“[We are] calling on the Government to urgently raise the minimum age for puppies to be imported into the UK to six months, to help make them less desirable, and to bring in tougher penalties for deceitful sellers.”
Ceredigion MP Ben Lake, who has taken up the issue in Parliament, said: “Unfortunately, there are still too many examples of puppies suffering horrendous conditions as they’re smuggled to the UK. Current legislation is not fit for purpose.
“By raising the minimum age for puppies to be imported, the Government would boost efforts to tackle this illegal trade.”
Defra minister Victoria Prentis said: “Now that the transition period has ended we have the opportunity to manage our own rules applying to pet travel movements into Great Britain.
“We are listening to the concerns of stakeholders around future requirements. The Government is developing a range of options to ensure there are robust controls on disease and animal welfare, while allowing pet owners to continue to be able to travel with the minimum of disruption.”