joined with the Dogs Trust
in Parliament (on Wednesday, 26th October) where
the charity called on the Government to take further action to
end the cruel practice of puppy smuggling.
Crawley’s MP talked with the charity about how they can work
together to end the illegal trade by ensuring the Animal Welfare
(Kept Animals) Bill is passed by Parliament. The charity is also
calling for the Government to include visual checks at the
borders in its plan to put a stop to the cruel trade once and for
all.
Henry said;
“It’s shocking to learn about the horrendous ways puppies are
smuggled into the UK and the poor conditions they endure.
“I hope that Dogs Trust’s campaign will motivate Government to
progress with the Kept Animals Bill and to include their
recommendation of including a requirement to carry out a visual
check on dogs entering the country, as this will be a key factor
in bringing about the end of puppy smuggling.”
The Kept Animals Bill includes provisions to tackle abuse of the
Pet Travel Scheme (PETS), which the charity has been exposing
since 2014. Through five undercover investigations, Dogs Trust
has revealed the falsifying of documents to import underage
puppies, often unvaccinated and in poor welfare conditions, which
go on to be sold to unsuspecting buyers in the UK. However,
having been introduced to Parliament in 2021, the Bill has not
progressed any further through the parliamentary process since
last November.
During this time, puppies and pregnant dogs continue to be
smuggled into the UK on an industrial scale. Coupled with the
lack of progress of the Bill, the proposed secondary legislation
to tackle the trade, to be introduced under the Kept Animals
Bill, does not include a requirement for visual checks of dogs
being transported across international borders, a measure the
charity believes is crucial if the Bill is to be successful in
tackling the trade.
An interactive station at the event illustrated the importance of
introducing visual checks at the borders. Henry experienced the
documentary and identity check currently in operation at the
border, and the charity was able to demonstrate some of the
tactics smugglers employ to avoid detection and explain why
adding a visual check to this process is crucial to tackling the
trade.
Paula Boyden, Veterinary Director of Dogs Trust, commented;
“Dogs Trust has spent eight years exposing this abhorrent trade
and our investigations have revealed that puppy smugglers remain
undeterred and are continuing to bring in thousands of underage
puppies and pregnant dogs, often in the most dreadful conditions,
which do not provide for their needs.
“We are grateful to all the MPs who support our work to combat
this problem, and we hope that the Government will hasten to
progress the Kept Animals Bill and act on our recommendations to
include the requirement to carry out a visual check on all dogs
entering the country because without them, there is no chance of
ending this horrifying trade.”
