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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 23rd December 2015
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Illegally imported puppies to spend Christmas in quarantine
Pub
By law some of the puppies will have to spend Christmas in quarantine.

Seized from Hungarian transporters 

A group of illegally imported designer puppies intended for online Christmas sales will be under the care of Dogs Trust over the Christmas period.

The charity say that the puppies were seized from Hungarian transporters who attempted to smuggle the puppies into Dover with false passports and underage, rendering any vaccinations ineffective.

The puppies include a mix of French bulldogs, English bulldogs, pugs and chow chows. By transporting the puppies underage they appear 'cuter' to potential buyers, but the puppies may have suffered terribly to fulfil the Christmas trade. Paula Boyden, Dogs Trust veterinary director, explains:

“Dogs Trust has pledged to cover the cost and care of taking the seized puppies through quarantine, a charity first in the ongoing fight against puppy smuggling. Had we not stepped in, these puppies would have been bought by unsuspecting buyers and they would have undoubtedly been lumped with the hefty quarantine bill and emotional stress. The puppies have all required veterinary treatment, largely due to the fact they were taken from their mothers too young.

"The reality is that buying puppies online at any time of the year is risky, but we know that buyers are likely to be stung over Christmas, when the demand for puppies ramps up."

Until Dogs Trust stepped in, the seized puppies were at risk of being put to sleep or turned away at the borders - meaning another long journey without water or food. The Charity are now are now calling on the Government to lead a joine- up approach with animal charities to ensure that the scandal does not continue.

By law the French Bulldogs, English bulldogs, chow chows and pugs will have to spend Christmas in quarantine. Dogs Trust will continue to support the quarantine costs and care of smuggled puppies into 2016. 

Image (C) Dogs Trust/Clive Tagg

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.