MP Bob Seely has welcomed a move by the government to back legislation that will close existing legal loopholes exploited by immoral breeders and traders to illegally smuggle pets into the UK.
Illegal pet smuggling is often associated with serious welfare issues, and pets found to be illegally smuggled face a significantly higher risk of developing illnesses or even death. The Bill allows the government to bring forward a ban, or restrictions, on low-welfare imports of dogs, cats and ferrets into the UK.
The new Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill will mean people selling pets would be banned from importing puppies under six months old, heavily pregnant dogs, and animals with cropped ears, docked tails or that have been declawed.
Measures introduced under the Bill would also 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.
Welcoming the move, MP Bob Seely said “I am fully supportive of this Bill which will not only stop criminal gangs profiting from the suffering of young animals but also bring peace of mind to families looking for a new pet.
“Our animal welfare standards in the UK are world-leading. The UK was the first country in the world to introduce animal cruelty offences and is the highest-ranked G7 nation according to World Animal Protection’s Index.
“I am pleased that the government is delivering on its commitments to improving animal welfare standards even further.”
Since publishing the Action Plan for Animal Welfare in 2021, the government has brought in new laws to recognise animal sentience, introduced tougher penalties for animal cruelty offences; announced an extension of the ivory ban to cover other ivory-bearing species; supported legislation to ban glue traps, the import of detached shark fins and measures to ban the advertising and offering for sale of low welfare activities abroad.
