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MPs call for tougher action on puppy smuggling
The report calls for a ban on the movement of animals younger than six months, heavily pregnant animals, and animals that have been subject to poor welfare practices.

Government accused of 'twiddling its thumbs'. 

MPs are calling for tougher penalties, including greater prison sentences, for individuals found guilty of smuggling puppies and other pets.

The Parliamentary Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (EFRA) warns that current prosecution rates for pet smuggling are low and ‘do not act as an effective deterrent’.

It is one of several recommendations made in EFRA’s new report, Moving Animals Across Borders, which also calls on Defra to introduce a ban on animals younger than six months, heavily pregnant animals, and animals that have been subject to poor welfare practices. 

Neil Parish MP, chair of the EFRA Select Committee, said: “While the Government twiddles its thumbs, bad actors are seizing the opportunity to bring animals - including kittens and puppies - over the borders, risking their welfare and the spread of diseases, with little fear of detection or punishment. 

"Despite a drastically shrunk livestock export market, the Government is dragging its heels setting up the border controls that exporters of British breeding stock need. All of these issues identify glaring holes in the Government's current systems."

He added: "The solutions are ready, but the Government seems unprepared to press go. It must now demonstrate its willingness to accept the scale of the problems, and act with urgency to address the threats to British businesses, animal welfare and biosecurity." 

Other recommendations set out in the report include the introduction of pre-import screening for non-endemic diseases that threaten the UK pet population. The report states: “This should be accompanied by the reinstalment of tick and tapeworm treatment requirements and a rabies titre test for pets when they are being brought into the UK.”

The report also makes recommendations on farm livestock movement, horses, biosecurity, abattoirs, and veterinary capacity. 

Defra response

A Defra spokesperson said: “The Government takes the issue of puppy smuggling, and other illegal importations and low welfare movements of pets, very seriously.

“It is an abhorrent trade which causes suffering to animals and puts the health of pets and people in the UK at risk.

“Our recently introduced Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill commits to tackling unscrupulous traders by reducing the number of dogs that can be moved under the pet travel rules – and we have now launched a consultation on further proposals to crack down on this illegal trade.”

Animal charity reaction

Dogs Trust veterinary director Paula Boyden welcomed the report's findings. 

“If taken on board, the recommendations published today in the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee’s (EFRA) report would bring us one step closer to putting an end to the cruel puppy smuggling trade," she said. 
 
“Dogs Trust has spearheaded the campaign to overhaul pet travel legislation for over six years, are at the coalface caring for illegally imported puppies and has provided mountains of evidence to the Government about what needs to change, based on what we see daily.”

Cats Protection’s director of veterinary services, Dr Maggie Roberts, added: “We agree that the Government needs to implement solutions now to protect pets, including cats and kittens. 

“Long delays on bringing in these recommendations will only lead to more suffering for pets being transported into the UK. With demand for cats and kittens on the rise following the pandemic, it is essential the Government react quickly to stamp out pet smugglers intent on putting profit before welfare.”

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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
New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.