The RSPCA is urging MPs to get behind legislation that hopes to tackle the smuggling of dogs, cats and ferrets into the UK as the Bill has its Second Reading tomorrow.
Winchester MP and vet Danny Chambers (Lib Dem) is one of three MPs taking forward proposals for new animal welfare laws as Private Members’ Bills in the House of Commons.
His focus is to crack down on the commercial imports of puppies and kittens as well as offering greater protection to heavily pregnant pets and youngsters.
The proposals could also ban the import of animals who have undergone painful mutilation procedures – such as cropped ears or docked tails – which are illegal in the UK. However, the loophole in the legislation allowing animals to be imported with these mutilations already carried out means many of these animals continue to suffer in order to be sold on in the UK.
Danny Chambers MP said: “As a vet I’ve seen first-hand animals with complex health issues and long-term behavioural problems as a result of the trauma of being taken from their mothers too young and travelled for long distances illegally over borders to be sold on to unsuspecting buyers.
“Not only is this a huge animal welfare issue but we’re also incredibly concerned about the impact this could have on public health should one of these puppies or kittens bring a serious disease with them onto our shores.
“It’s heartbreaking to think these animals are being exploited by criminals and it’s time we make a real difference for animal welfare and put a stop to their activities by making it harder for them to get into the country.”
RSPCA Public Affairs Manager Harriet Main said: “We’re really pleased that Danny Chambers sees the importance of these proposals in order to not only protect animals, but also to protect the public here in the UK.
“We’d like other MPs to get behind this Bill and help bring about real change for animal welfare. New legislation to crack down on the illegal importation of animals into our country will not only help protect animals from being exploited, but will also protect unsuspecting members of the public who end up buying sick animals in need of complex and expensive care.”
Attempts to crack down on the importation of dogs, cats and ferrets have, unfortunately, failed to make it over the line in the last Parliament but the issue has never been more important.
The RSPCA has seen a huge increase in the number of reports being made to its cruelty line about ear cropping – a painful procedure where dogs’ ears are surgically removed or altered for cosmetic purposes – fuelled by the popularity of this appearance on social media and within popular culture.
And the charity’s investigation teams continue to deal with many reports from the public who have been misled and ended up buying a sick puppy who had not been home-bred as advertised but had in fact been trafficked into the UK illegally.
