Yahoo News Puppies bred illegally in 'shocking conditions' smuggled into the UK to be Christmas presents
Record numbers of illegal puppies are being smuggled into the country ahead of Christmas, according to an investigation by the UK’s largest dog welfare charity.
The Dogs Trust seized 100 pups in just one week from ports in Folkestone and Dover in three undercover operations that it called “just the tip of the iceberg”.
The charity said that it feared people looking for cheap puppies this Christmas would fuel the “sickening trade”, where dogs are smuggled into the UK in “shocking conditions”.
Dogs Trust veterinary director Paula Boyden said: “Buying an illegally imported puppy could potentially cost well-meaning but unsuspecting families thousands of pounds in quarantine and vet bills and emotional heartache for the family if the puppy falls ill or worse, dies.
“We continue to be astounded at the lengths these deceptive breeders and dealers will go to in order to illegally import puppies to make huge profits with complete disregard for their wellbeing.”
The Dogs Trust said it had found seven Cane Corso puppies, which had infected wounds after their ears and tails were cropped and docked.
It said that it appeared as this had been done using scissors and vodka.
Boydon added that members of the public have a crucial role to play, because of the trends for certain dogs.
“We’re seeing a huge spike in online advertising and ‘trend buying’ of fashionable breeds with Pugs, Dachshunds, English and French Bulldogs making up 82 per cent of those admitted to Dogs Trust through our Puppy Pilot.
Most popular on Yahoo News UK
Major search fails to discover the identity of man found dead in Kent field next to a suitcase and wedding catalogue
‘I’m disgusted with myself’: Man who left angry note on ambulance apologises after neighbour dies
Shocking moment driver abuses paramedic for blocking the street with her ambulance
Australian man dies after falling into wood chipper while clearing trees from a neighbour’s drive
Man who shared image of Muslim ‘ignoring Westminster terror victims’ was Russian troll
“We urge anyone who is considering getting a puppy this Christmas or beyond, to make sure a dog is for life not just for Christmas. Please do think about the breed and your lifestyle as well as following buyer advice to help limit the chances your puppy is a smuggled one.”
The maximum sentence for illegal importers is just three months under the Non-Commercial Movement of Pet Animals (Amendment) Order 2011.
A spokesman for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: “We are cracking down on animal trafficking with one of the toughest pet border checking regimes in the world.
“Every pet dog travelling to the UK has both microchips and passports checked to make sure they are properly vaccinated and old enough to travel.”
