Tough new legal crackdown on puppy smuggling moves forward

The UK Government has pledged its support for the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill, a move aimed at curbing the illegal smuggling of pets and enhancing animal welfare standards.

The Private Members’ Bill, sponsored by veterinary surgeon and MP Dr Danny Chambers, seeks to close legal loopholes exploited by unscrupulous traders.

The legislation proposes banning the import of puppies and kittens under six months old, as well as mutilated or heavily pregnant animals.

It addresses abuses of non-commercial pet travel rules, which currently enable criminals to disguise trafficked animals as personal pets.

Animal Welfare Minister Baroness Sue Hayman called the trade “an appalling practice with no place in our society.”

She added: “This important legislation is the first step in achieving our manifesto commitment to deliver the biggest boost in animal welfare in a generation.”

Rising Numbers Highlight Urgency

The issue has grown significantly over the past decade, with non-commercial pet imports rising from 100,000 in 2011 to over 320,000 in 2023.

This increase has been accompanied by widespread fraudulent activity, leading to animal suffering and biosecurity risks.

Danny Chambers, speaking from his professional experience as a veterinarian, emphasised the cruelty of practices such as ear-cropping and tail-docking.

“There is no excuse for these mutilations in the 21st century,” he said.

“This bill is about more than animal welfare.

We’re also protecting public health because dogs smuggled into the UK could carry diseases like rabies.”

Decade-Long Campaign

The initiative has been welcomed by leading animal welfare organisations, including Dogs Trust and the RSPCA, both of which have campaigned for over a decade to end puppy smuggling.

Owen Sharp, CEO of Dogs Trust, expressed cautious optimism: “We have come close to putting an end to this cruel trade with multiple Bills proposed in previous years. Sadly, none have made it onto the statute books. We hope this time will be different.”

David Bowles, Head of Public Affairs at the RSPCA, highlighted the deceptive practices used by smugglers.

“Our investigation teams continue to deal with many reports from the public who have been misled into buying sick puppies trafficked into the UK illegally.”

The Bill also proposes banning the import of animals subjected to mutilations for cosmetic reasons, such as ear-cropping or tail-docking, which are illegal in the UK but remain legal in some countries.

The UK is already ranked the highest among G7 nations for animal welfare by the World Animal Protection Index.

By supporting the Bill, the Government aims to solidify its position as a global leader in animal welfare while fulfilling a key manifesto promise.