January 2024
January Blog 2024 - Puppy Smuggling
As a nation of animal lovers, the UK is home to approximately 13 million dogs. This month we are featuring ‘puppy smuggling’ – what it means and how we can tackle it on all levels. The reality is we do not know how many puppies have been illegally imported into the country, as what is reported is only the tip of the iceberg. Most of these puppies go on to be advertised online and on social media. Between June 2020 and June 2021, online adverts rocketed to 732% more than the previous period.
Reggie the Labrador puppy
Since the introduction of the Pet Travel Scheme in 2012, travel with companion animals within the EU became cheaper and easier. However, this has fuelled the grim trade in puppy smuggling. Tragically, Reggie was a victim of puppy smuggling and many heartbroken families have since contacted us to tell their stories. Reggie’s family were tricked into thinking they were buying him from a ‘loving family’ not far away from where they live. However, the truth is he was imported from a puppy farm in Ireland. The death of beautiful Reggie went on to kick-start the successful ‘Justice for Reggie’ campaign, calling to regulate online selling of animals.
What is Puppy-Smuggling?
Put simply, puppies are bred outside of the UK and illegally imported. They are then transported to UK homes, usually by ferry to be sold onto unsuspecting buyers. Vans, horseboxes and other large vehicles are commonly used to smuggle large numbers of puppies. Pet transporters have also been used to disguise the evil trade. Puppies have even been found stuffed in the spare wheel cavities in cars!
Smuggled puppies are likely to be very sick and traumatised from travelling hundreds and even thousands of miles. The puppies are bred in large numbers in unregulated establishments such as puppy farms. Puppy farms across Europe are breeding puppies at alarming rates and in appalling conditions. The parents are kept in dirty cramped conditions with no access to outside. They are not wormed or vaccinated against diseases, nor given any love or comfort. The harsh truth is that when the female breeding dogs become sick from intensive breeding, they are often killed inhumanely.
The puppies are often traumatised from being ripped away from their mothers at a crucial stage of development and are sometimes separated from their siblings (it is much easier to smuggle smaller numbers through the borders). In 2021, there was a 260% increase in the number of puppies seized by border force for breaching the pet import rules. These rules state that all pets are required to have a pet passport and health certificate to prove they have been vaccinated and microchipped to the breeder. Puppies need to be at least 12 weeks old before they are vaccinated and 15 weeks old to travel. There have been recent reports that puppies seized after a raid on a ferry were as young as 4 weeks old and found in a terrible state. Pregnant mums about to give birth were also amongst them. When dogs and puppies are seized at the borders, they are at risk of being quarantined, sent back to the country they travelled from or put to sleep.
Puppy smuggling is big business arguably due to the UK not producing enough of the ‘right sort’ of puppies or designer breeds. For example, Pomeranians or French Bulldogs are mainly imported from Eastern Europe, then there’s the Cavachons & Bichons bred and imported from Irish puppy farms. The trend tends to shift to meet the demand.
Why do so many people turn a blind eye when choosing a puppy online?
There has been a move towards buyers unknowingly ‘pre-ordering’ puppies online prior to the traders importing them into the UK. Therefore, those photos you see on some of the selling platforms are not always the real puppies for sale. They are most likely stolen from Google images or stock photos. This supply and demand is fuelling the trade and keeping the sellers in business. This is why it is always important to do your research when searching for a puppy.
Trying to change consumer beliefs is the biggest challenge. There’s lots of information about on how to choose a puppy safely and what to look for but it doesn’t always reach the people who need to hear it. Many people buy on impulse so they don’t look for the information, or they just don’t want to know about the dark side of the puppy trade. Many feel they have to ‘rescue’ the puppy from unscrupulous sellers or breeders. Some are genuinely conned into believing they are responsibly bred. Some want the latest designer breed.
How can we create change?
We need greater surveillance at ports to identify and prosecute illegal puppy dealers. This must be a priority as once the puppies are in the UK it is almost impossible to prosecute
The Government needs to enforce the regulation of animal selling on the online selling platforms
Anyone who sells puppies need to be licensed
We need to see an improvement in the microchipping system as many puppies sold are not microchipped (or the chip isn’t registered) which makes traceability impossible. There is an open market for microchipping databases and micro chippers. For example, a UK micro chipper can buy Polish microchips and implant them in a UK puppy making it difficult to trace back
We need adequate prosecutions and sentencing regulations to act as a deterrent
There needs to be further use of legislation for tax evasion and organised crime – the puppy industry is worth between £100 million and £300 million annually
Promote educational tools to raise awareness on puppy smuggling and puppy farms. We have published the 10 golden rules on buying a puppy online on our Facebook page. There is also useful information in our November 2023 blog – ‘buying a puppy safely’
The Government needs to put more resources into multi-agency working with the Police, councils and ferry companies to name but a few.
Unfortunately, the government has pushed Reggie’s law and other animal welfare bills back down the list of priorities. Until then, our small team of dedicated, highly driven and feisty volunteers will continue to make our voices heard!
Sadly, it is too late for Reggie and his family, and others who have fallen victim to the cruel puppy trade. But we are hopeful that change will come soon.
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/dogs-seized-after-ferry-terminal-20644199
https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/puppy/sales