Next stage for MP’s Puppy and Kitten Smuggling Bill

On Friday, March 15, Selaine Saxby MP spoke in the Second Reading of her Animal Welfare (Importation for Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill in the House of Commons.

The Government announced its backing for the new legislation which will close existing loopholes exploited by unscrupulous breeders and traders to illegally smuggle cats and dogs into the UK.

Since 2012, the Pet Travel Scheme, created to make it easy for owners to take their family pets on holiday with them, has been abused by unscrupulous traders.

The Bill will strengthen the Pet Travel Scheme to ensure that no one is able to fraudulently import animals for sale under the guise of being an owner travelling with their own pets.

Measures in the Bill, which will be enacted through primary legislation, include reducing the number of animals that can travel under the non commercial rules from five per person to five per vehicle or three per foot or air passenger.

The Bill also ensures that when an authorised person carries out a non commercial movement of a dog, cat, or ferret, it may only take place within five days of the owner’s movement.

Measures in the Bill, which will be enacted through secondary legislation, include introducing prohibitions that restrict the commercial and non commercial movement into Great Britain of puppies and kittens under six months, dogs and cats with non exempted mutilations, for example, dogs with cropped ears or docked tails, declawed cats, and heavily pregnant dogs and cats who are more than 42 days pregnant.

Bruce, a French Bulldog from the Dogs Trust and Blu, a Cavachon Puppy from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home were in Westminster to take photos after Selaine’s successful Second Reading on Friday 15th March.

Selaine Saxby, MP for North Devon and Bill Sponsor said: “I am glad that the Government is supporting this vital Bill and committed to its swift passage to ensure safeguard the welfare of thousands of puppies, dogs, cats and ferrets that come into Great Britain from overseas each year.

“I would like to thank the tireless campaigning from the pet charities who have shared their views about this Bill. I hope that they are reassured by the measures outlined in the Bill which will stop this cruel trade by closing loopholes exploited by unscrupulous commercial traders.

“We really are a nation of pet lovers, and this legislation will ensure that the UK is leading the world when it comes to animal welfare.”

Owen Sharp, Chief Executive, Dogs Trust said: “For more than ten years, Dogs Trust has been working to tackle the horrific puppy smuggling trade. We hope that Selaine’s Bill marks an important step towards tackling these issues, so that no more dogs like Bruce have to suffer at the hands of unscrupulous breeders and sellers.

“We’d like to thank Selaine for bringing forward this Bill offering protection to countless dogs caught up in this cruel trade, who have suffered so terribly at the hands of smugglers. Once the bill is passed, it will no longer be legal to import dogs with brutal mutilations, prevent heavily pregnant dogs who have been smuggled in cramped and squalid conditions, and make sure puppies are not exploited by raising the age at which they can be imported to 6 months.”

Harriet Main, Public Affairs Manager, RSPCA said: “We’re delighted that this Bill is progressing - it is huge news for animal welfare. A change in law is urgently needed to protect animals and close legal loopholes that have been abused for many years by people making quick cash from the exploitation of animals.

“As we strive to create a better world for every animal in our 200th year, the RSPCA is urging MPs to support this Bill to ensure it passes through Parliament quickly.”