Hampshire MP supporting Dogs Trust's puppy smuggling campaign
The charity say thousands of puppies are illegally imported into the country every year
Caroline Nokes, MP for Romsey and Southampton North has joined forces with the Dogs Trust in their puppy smuggling campaign.
The charity are urging MPs to join their new parliamentary Puppy Smuggling Taskforce.
For the last six years they have been calling on the government to end the illegal trading after exposing it through four undercover investigations.
They say the current legislation is not fit for purpose and every day of delay is causing more preventable suffering for puppies.
Dogs Trust are asking the government to:
- Raise the minimum age for puppies to be imported into the UK to six months
- Bring tougher penalties for smuggling pups to deter deceitful sellers
Caroline Nokes, MP for Romsey and Southampton North, said:
"I am delighted to join the Puppy Smuggling Taskforce and support Dogs Trust in their efforts to raise awareness of and tackle the abhorrent puppy smuggling trade.
At a time when demand for dogs in the UK has never been higher, I want to urge my constituents to really do their research before buying a puppy advertised for sale online, as it’s all too easy to be duped into buying a dog that’s been illegally smuggled into the country.
Dogs Trust has been campaigning on this issue for many years now, and I’m proud to be able to say I’m part of the Puppy Smuggling Taskforce to help put a stop to puppies needlessly suffering at the hands of criminals."
WATCH:
The charity have created a video with all the information about their latest investigation into puppy smuggling:
Dogs Trust’s Veterinary Director Paula Boyden said:
"Sadly, we continue to see more and more heart-breaking examples of puppies being illegally imported into the country. Puppy smugglers are making vast profits by exploiting innocent puppies, breeding and transporting them in appalling conditions to sell onto dog lovers here in the UK.
There has never been a more urgent need to end the appalling puppy smuggling trade. Enough is enough, Government must take immediate action as too many puppies are suffering at the hands of cruel traders and too many dog lovers are being left to pick up the pieces.
We are grateful to Caroline Nokes MP for her support in joining the parliamentary Puppy Smuggling Taskforce to stop this cruel trade."
HOW TO AVOID BEING DOGFISHED
Dogs Trust have now issued some advice to help people not get 'dogfished'.
They say it's all too easy to get scammed into buying a dog which may not be what it seems:
- Always see puppy and mum together at their home and make sure to visit more than once, even if it is via video call due to coronavirus restrictions.
- Never pay a deposit up front without seeing the puppy in person.
- Ask lots of questions and make sure you see all vital paperwork, such as a puppy contract - which gives lots of information about their parents, breed, health, diet, the puppy’s experiences and more.
- If you have any doubts or feel pressured to buy, as hard as it may be, walk away and report the seller.