The Illegal Puppy Trade
The UK is home to 13 million dogs. Sadly, it is hard to determine just how many of them found their way into the country by being illegally imported.
We have been tirelessly campaigning for tougher restrictions on puppy imports into the UK from other countries for many years. The pandemic saw an enormous rise in the sale of dogs, with the average price of a puppy increasing from £970 in March 2020 to an astonishing £2,062 in January 2021. This ever-increasing profit leads to illegal breeders selling puppies that are often underage, sick, and likely to die soon after arriving in the UK due to poor standards of care and pre-existing health conditions caused by improper breeding.
The current state of affairs
After the disappointing news that the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill had been dropped by the Government in May 2023 and a subsequent private members Bill put forward by Selaine Saxby falling when the General election was called, we were thrilled to see Danny Champers MP introduce the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill in October 2024.
This Bill has currently made its way through the House of Commons, securing Government backing, and on to the House of Lords where it is awaiting its Second Reading.
What will this Bill do?
- Tackle the import of underage animals by prohibiting the import of puppies and kittens under six months old, reducing suffering and simplifying enforcement.
- Ensure unnecessary mutilations are finally a thing of the past by prohibiting the import of mutilated dogs and cats for example those that have been declawed, had their tails docked or ears cropped. Simplifying enforcement of animal welfare standards in the UK.
- Clamp down on the smuggling of puppies and kittens into the country disguised as family pets by limiting the number of dogs, cats and ferrets imported per vehicle (five) and per person (three)
- Improve accountability by ensuring that dogs, cats and ferrets must be brought in by the owner or an authorised person.
What do we do now?
We remain hopeful that this proposed legislation will pass through the House of Lords swiftly and make its way to Royal Assent.
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What about Lucy’s Law?
Lucy's Law was named in honour of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who was rescued after spending five years at a puppy farm in 2013. She had been kept in a small cage for most of her short life and used for breeding under the cruellest of conditions. The treatment she received at the puppy farm resulted in her hips being totally fused, a curvature of the spine, epilepsy, and many other health conditions which eventually lead to her death in 2016.
‘Lucy’s Law’ means that anyone looking to get a new puppy or kitten must buy direct from a breeder, or consider adopting from a rescue centre instead. The law also requires licensed dog breeders to show puppies interacting with their mothers in the place that they were bred and reared. The consequences of selling puppies/kittens without a licence is an unlimited fine or a prison term of up to six months.
‘Lucy’s Law’ came into force in England in April 2020, with Scotland and Wales following suit in September 2021. Northern Ireland is currently consulting on this issue, which will ultimately mean nationwide protection for puppies.
