The House of Commons Select Committee for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is launching its call for evidence into the cruel practices of illegally importing puppies into the UK from Europe.
Dogs Trust has published four investigative reports exposing the trade, including the growing trend of heavily pregnant female dogs being brought into the country with little care and consideration for them, or their unborn puppies’ health.
Recent figures released by Defra show that imports of dogs to Great Britain via the flawed Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) hit 307,357 dogs in 2018, up from 287,016 in 2017. This is the sixth year in a row that numbers have increased since the controversial changes to PETS in 2012 harmonised pet travel across the EU. In 2011, before the changes, this figure was 85,786.
Paula Boyden, Veterinary Director at Dogs Trust, said:
“We are delighted that MPs have launched this vitally important inquiry as we have long been urging the government to take forward our clear recommendations to overhaul pet travel legislation, including increasing penalties for those fuelling this despicable trade.
“A lack of visual checks at the borders and insufficient penalties for illegally importing puppies mean there is no real deterrent for puppy smugglers capitalising on the huge demand in this country for desirable breeds such as French Bulldogs, Dachshunds and English Bulldogs.
“Great Britain remains a target for dealers because of this demand and the vast sums people are willing to pay for such breeds.”
The four undercover investigations that Dogs Trust has carried out into the abuses of the PETS have provided the government with a mountain of evidence.
Dogs Trust investigations have repeatedly shown that PETS is being used as a cover to import underage puppies from central and eastern Europe for commercial reasons. It is illegal to import dogs to Great Britain via PETS with the intention of selling them.
With a persistent demand for French Bulldogs, Dachshunds and Pugs, and prices ranging anywhere from £800 – £2,000 per dog, set against the limited prosecution for smugglers if caught, it is unsurprising that over the past four years nearly 1,000 dogs have been cared for by Dogs Trust as part of its Puppy Pilot.
Dogs Trust will be submitting its evidence to the Committee as a part of the inquiry and will urge the Committee’s MPs to encourage the government to tackle this trade and put a stop to puppy smuggling.
