In a bid to crack down on pet smuggling and address the issue of ‘illegal and immoral’ breeders, the UK government has introduced a major change to pet rules. Under the new measures, puppies and kittens under six months old will be barred from entering the country. Additionally, heavily pregnant dogs and cats, as well as those with cruel mutilations like cropped ears, will also be banned.
Closing the Loopholes
The import ban aims to tackle the problem of animals being smuggled into the UK by unscrupulous breeders. Last year alone, over 320,000 pets were brought into the country, with many suspected of being unlawfully smuggled. The new legislation seeks to close the loopholes that allow smugglers to claim these animals as their pets. To achieve this, the person-animal ratio will be reduced to five per vehicle or three per foot passenger.
Protecting the Welfare of Animals
In addition to the import ban, the minimum age for imported animals will be raised from 15 weeks to six months. This change aims to prevent young animals from enduring long and stressful journeys that can have a lasting impact on their overall well-being. By ensuring a higher minimum age, the government aims to prioritize the welfare of these animals and protect them from unnecessary suffering.
Tackling Pet Smuggling
Environment Secretary Steve Barclay expressed his commitment to putting an end to the abhorrent trade of pet smuggling. As a nation of animal lovers, it is important that we take a stand against this cruel practice. Barclay stated, “Pet smuggling is an abhorrent trade which causes great suffering to animals. As a nation of animal lovers, and a dog lover myself, we will not accept this, which is why we are determined to fulfill our manifesto commitment and bring it to an end.”
Combatting the Normalization of Cruel Mutilations
Tory MP De Neil Hudson highlighted the influence of popular culture and celebrity trends in normalizing cruel practices like ear cropping in dogs. To address this issue, the crackdown on pet smuggling includes a provision that makes animals with any form of mutilation ineligible for entry into the country. By associating these mutilations with smuggling, the government hopes to deter such practices and protect the welfare of animals.
Image Source: PA
These new measures demonstrate the UK government’s dedication to tackling pet smuggling and protecting the welfare of animals. By implementing stricter rules, the authorities aim to deter illegal breeders and ensure that pets are not subjected to unnecessary suffering. To learn more about this topic, visit F5 Magazine.