Dr Neil Hudson MP, host of the event.

Dr Neil Hudson MP and Dogs Trust collaborate on event.

Dr Neil Hudson MP, the House of Common's only veterinary surgeon, is collaborating with animal welfare charity Dogs Trust to call on the Government to urgently combat the illegal puppy smuggling trade.

Held at the House of Commons, Dr Hudson MP and Dogs Trust hosted an event for Members of Parliament to discuss the need for urgent action, and how they can work with the charity to bring the illegal trade to an end.

More than 100 MPs attended the event, and Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, said: “It was a pleasure to work with Dogs Trust and host this important event to raise awareness about the vital work being done by the charity on Puppy Smuggling and to hopefully boost parliamentary support for the Kept Animals Bill to return to the Commons.

"Ultimately the Puppy Smuggling trade, that tragically continues to take place on an industrial scale, must be stamped out urgently. 

“Being freely imported are unvaccinated and underage puppies, animals with cropped ears or docked tails, and heavily pregnant dogs which often endure horrific journeys and pose a significant health risk to both animals and humans. As the only veterinary surgeon in the Commons, this is just not acceptable to me.

"I was particularly pleased to meet with animal welfare advocates from across both Houses who understood the pressing need for action on Puppy Smuggling and I'm now confident that cross-party parliamentary working can help tackle the issue head on.”

The charity highlighted the importance of passing the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill, which includes measures to tackle abuse of the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS). The illegal scheme sees an industrial level of smuggling – with puppies and pregnant dogs brought into the UK underage, or In poor welfare conditions. 

Alongside encouraging the Kept Animals Bill, Dogs Trust is calling for the Government to include visual checks at the borders, which will assist in identifying smuggled puppies. Visual checks will also consolidate the success of proposed Government measures banning the import of mutilated dogs, with mutilations such as ear cropping and tail docking.

Paula Boyden, Dogs Trust veterinary director, discussed the event: “Dogs Trust has spent eight years exposing this abhorrent trade and our investigations have revealed that puppy smugglers remain undeterred and are continuing to bring in thousands of underage puppies and pregnant dogs, often in the most dreadful conditions, whilst not providing for their needs.

“We are grateful to Dr Neil Hudson for hosting the event and were pleased with the significant interest from MPs on this issue, which shows the strength in support across Parliament to tackle Puppy Smuggling. 

“We hope the Government is listening and will hasten to progress the Kept Animals Bill, as well as taking action on our recommendation to include the requirement to carry out a visual check on all dogs entering the country because without them, there is no chance of ending this horrific trade.”

Image (C) Dogs Trust