New legislation to crackdown on illegal puppy smuggling and pave
the way for a ban on the import of dogs with cropped ears has
been hailed by the British Veterinary Association (BVA).
The measures form part of the new Animal Welfare (Kept Animals)
Bill introduced today under Defra’s Action Plan on Animal
Welfare, which was announced last month. The Bill also covers a
ban on live animal exports for slaughter and fattening, a ban on
keeping primates as pets, action on livestock worrying, and
improvements to zoo regulations.
BVA has previously raised awareness of the plight of pets that
are illegally smuggling into Great Britain, sometimes by criminal
gangs who dupe new owners into buying sick or poorly socialised
pets. The Bill will reduce the number of animals that can travel
under pet travel rules and introduce new powers that will enable
the government to bring in new restrictions, such as increasing
the minimum age that puppies can enter the country.
These new powers will also enable the government to bring in
measures to ban the import of dogs with cropped ears, which BVA
and The FOAL Group have campaigned for through the #CutTheCrop
campaign, which has received over 104,000 signatures of support.
Welcoming action on illegal puppy smuggling, BVA
President James Russell said:
“Every day veterinary practices see the devastating consequences
of illegal pet smuggling. Puppies that have been poorly bred and
taken away from their mothers at a very young age often suffer
from disease, other health problems, and poor socialisation
leading to heartache and financial costs for new owners. We
welcome changes to the law that will stop criminal gangs abusing
pet travel rules for profit.
“We’re also delighted to see that the Government has moved a step
closer to a ban on the import of cropped and docked dogs putting
an end to the alarming trend of ear cropping that vets have been
calling for through our #CutTheCrop campaign.
“Taken together these measures will be a massive win for animal
welfare.”
On the ban on live exports, James Russell said:
“BVA supports action to improve welfare at transport, but any
changes need to be evidence-based. We don’t support a ban on live
exports for slaughter and fattening, as this risks
disproportionately focusing on journey time and distance, rather
than looking at conditions during transport. But we are keen to
work with Defra and the livestock industry to put measures in
place to ensure improved welfare for animals on all journeys.”
On the other welfare measures in the Bill, Mr Russell
added:
“We’ve long argued that it’s almost impossible for private owners
to meet the complex needs of primates and so we warmly welcome
the ban. We also support ongoing improvements in zoos where
animal welfare and conservation work is led by veterinary teams.
“Livestock worrying is a scourge on rural communities.
Legislative measures to tackle the problem must be supported by
ongoing efforts to raise awareness and educate dog owners.”
/ENDS
Notes to editors
- BVA is the largest membership community for the veterinary
profession in the UK. We represent the views of over 18,000 vets
and vet students on animal health and welfare, and veterinary
policy issues to government, parliamentarians and key influencers
in the UK and EU.
- Detailed BVA policy positions on these issues can be viewed
at:
-
Pet travel and
illegal puppy smuggling
-
Welfare of livestock
during transport
-
Primates as pets
- The BVA and The FOAL Group petition: Stop the rising number of
ear-copped dogs in the UK has reached over 100,000 signatures
and was debated in Parliament on 7 June.
