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Dogs Trust marks 1,500 smuggled puppies rescued through Puppy Pilot Scheme
Dogs Trust has seen a 66 per cent increase in dogs rescued through the scheme. From 204 in 2019 to 338 in 2020.

Charity calls for legislative changes as it reaches milestone.

Dogs Trust is calling on the government to take urgent action to tackle puppy smuggling as it marks the milestone of 1,500 smuggled puppies rescued and rehomed through its Puppy Pilot scheme.

Originally set up in 2015, the Puppy Pilot Scheme works with APHA in the interception of illegally imported puppies at ports. It also provides care and rehabilitation for the animals prior to finding them new homes.

In 2020, Dogs Trust saw a 66 per cent increase in dogs rescued through the scheme, compared to the previous year. The legal age for puppies to enter the country is 15 weeks from another EU country, but the average age of puppies seized in 2020 was around eight weeks, with some aged just four weeks old.

Paula Boyden, veterinary director at Dogs Trust, said: “The 1500th puppy rehomed through the Puppy Pilot is a bittersweet milestone for us to reach. The scheme was originally set up on a trial basis in 2015, because there were not sufficient resources to care for the puppies being seized at the border.

“Five years on the need for our services is greater than ever as the demand for dogs during lockdown has further exacerbated the problem and, unfortunately, we know that the dogs we care for are just a small proportion of those that make it into the country illegally.

She continued: “We held our first conference with relevant stakeholders, Defra and APHA representatives to highlight our concerns about the illegal importation of puppies over eight years ago, and our asks remain the same.

“Now that the UK has left the EU, there has never been a better time for the Government to raise the minimum age for puppies to be imported into the UK to six months to help make them less desirable.

“We also want to see tougher penalties for smugglers, as only a handful of cases have ever led to a prosecution, with paltry penalties that are no deterrent.”

Alongside calls for legislative change, Dogs Trust is also urging prospective puppy buyers to be vigilant and follow its advice when looking for a pet.

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Lords Committee opens Pet Parasite Medication inquiry

The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee will launch its inquiry into Pet Parasite Medication (PPM) on Wednesday (3 June).

Focusing on treatments containing fipronil and imidacloprid, the inquiry will seek to understand distribution pathways and the impacts of PPM use and non-use on biodiversity and human health. It will also cover current regulation, monitoring, and the potential implications for pets and their owners.

The committee will hear evidence from environmental non-governmental organisations and research institutes. The public can follow the proceedings live on Parliament TV or in person in the Palace of Westminster.