Public want legislation against puppy smuggling, poll shows
Research shows widespread concern about dog imports.
A poll has shown that the majority of the public want the government to do more to prevent puppy smuggling.
The survey, carried out by YouGov on behalf of Dogs Trust, showed that 83 per cent of respondents wanted the government to crack down on puppy smuggling.
Puppy smuggling can be detrimental to the welfare of imported puppies, which are often crammed into tiny crates or mutilated.
It also found that 79 per cent supported a ban on the importation of heavily pregnant dogs. This is a commonly used tactic of dog smugglers, who will transport expectant mothers over long distances to give the impression of legitimacy when buyers ask to see the mother. They will then claim the puppies are ‘UK-bred’.
The Kept Animals Bill would have tackled these two issues.
However, it was controversially dropped on 26 May after Mark Spencer, the Government’s environment minister, declared that the scope of the legislation was in danger of becoming too wide. The minister said that the Government would instead introduce individual legislation to deal with different issues.
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee has since written to the environment minister to ask precisely when this individual legislation will be taken forward. The letter, signed by MP Sir Robert Goodwill, stated concern that dropping the bill might result in ‘a lack of action on these issues within the Government’.
Charities, such as Dogs Trust and RSPCA, are continuing to campaign for swift action on illegal importation practices.
Paula Boyden, veterinary director of Dogs Trust, said: “This has gone on long enough. While the Government prevaricates, dogs are suffering in most dreadful ways. The Government must listen, do what the public is demanding and table urgently needed legislation to tackle the scourge of puppy smuggling and other abhorrent practices. To not do so is failing to deliver on a manifesto promise and allowing horrific pet abuses to continue.
“Dogs Trust is deeply disappointed by the dropping of this bill and I urge the Government not to neglect the key issues that the Kept Animals Bill so critically addressed.”
Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.
