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Fears over dog smuggling into the UK rise
Puppy in cage
The BSAVA recently called for frontline veterinary staff to be vaccinated against rabies.

Illegal landings triple since changes to Pet Travel Scheme

Concerns over dog smuggling into the UK have been further fuelled, as it is revealed the number of illegal dogs stopped by Trading Standards has more than tripled since 2011.

According to the AHVLA, 376 dogs were stopped due to non-compliance with the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS), compared to 96 in 2011. These figures relate to any dog entering the country that does not fully comply with the scheme's requirements.

Changes to PETS came into force on January 1, 2012, making it easier for pets to travel around Europe. Many in the veterinary profession raised concerns that the changes could lead to a rise in the number of illegally imported pets.

Previously, dogs could not enter the UK until six months after they had been vaccinated against rabies, whereas the scheme now requires just 21 days.

A BBC Breakfast programme which aired yesterday (January 30) raised concerns over rising numbers of pets being imported illegally with forged passports.

During 2013, a handful of rabies cases reported across the globe triggered unease over the threat to the UK. Reports concerned a dog in Toledo, Central Spain, a kitten found to be carrying the disease in France, and two puppies in the Netherlands that were later confirmed rabies clear.

BVA president Robin Hargreaves said in October 2013: "We have been raising concerns with the Government that the changes in legislation last year had significant unintended consequences in boosting the number of puppies and kittens coming to the UK for sale.

"Although the pet travel scheme is not intended to cover commercial movements, the fact that animals can enter the UK at a younger age has meant that people are abusing the legislation for this purpose with potentially grave consequences."

The BSAVA recently called for Public Health England (PHE) to introduce pre-exposure rabies vaccinations for frontline veterinary staff.

Dr Hilary Kirkbride from PHE said: "We are aware that there are concerns amongst the veterinary community in the UK about the rabies risk from illegally imported animals." PHE says it plans to submit a discussion paper on the subject to the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, who will consider the occupational risks.

Defra, however, says the risk of a dog infected with rabies entering the UK is very low, and the risk of rabies passing from pet to human is lower still.

Commenting on the rise in illegally landed dogs in the UK, a Defra spokesperson said: "We carry out stringent checks on dogs coming into the country. The increase in attempts to bring dogs into the country illegally is being driven by the high demand for cheap puppies.

"We would urge anyone looking to buy a puppy to ensure it comes from a reputable supplier and ask to see the puppy interact with its mother."

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.