Andrew Gwynne, MP for Denton and Reddish, has given his backing to a campaign to put a stop to the illegal importation of puppies into the country.
Since 2014, Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, has been exposing the widespread abuse of the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS). The scheme, intended to allow people to take their family pets on holiday, has long been used as a cover by unscrupulous traders to illegally import thousands of puppies from Central and Eastern Europe into the country.
Even during the COVID-19 pandemic with restrictions on travel, the Dogs Trust has continued to see puppies being illegally brought into the country.
Puppies and pregnant dogs are smuggled in terrible conditions to be sold illegally.
As the UK leave the European Union, there is an opportunity to change legislation to end puppy smuggling.
Andrew Gwynne said:
“Now is the time for the Government to act and put an end to puppy smuggling.
“The conditions for dogs smuggled in this way are atrocious and their sale brings in huge amounts of money to unscrupulous criminals.
“Whilst we wait for the Government to act, I would encourage all constituents to research puppy smuggling if they are considering buying a puppy to ensure that they are buying their pets responsibly.”
