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Denton MP backs puppy smuggling task force

Denton MP Andrew Gwynne is lending his support to the Dogs Trust charity’s call on the Government to stop the illegal importation of puppies into the UK. 

With pet travel currently governed by EU legislation, and as we approach the end of the UK’s transition period, the charity, which has a rehoming centre in Denton, is urging MPs to help stop #PuppySmuggling by joining their new parliamentary Puppy Smuggling Taskforce.

Every year thousands of puppies are illegally imported into Great Britain to then be sold via online adverts to unsuspecting dog lovers, having been transported thousands of miles across Europe with little water, no food, exercise or toilet breaks. 

Many suffer significant health problems and/or lifelong behavioural challenges, and some don’t survive, leaving their buyers helpless, heartbroken - and out of pocket.

The charity has been calling on the Government to end puppy smuggling after exposing the trade through four undercover investigations. 

Dogs Trust’s Veterinary Director Paula Boyden said: “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 Andrew Gwynne for his support in joining the parliamentary Puppy Smuggling Taskforce to stop this cruel trade.”

The MP said: “I am delighted to join the taskforce and support Dogs Trust in their efforts to raise awareness of and tackle the 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.”

Dogs Trust is calling on the Government to:

• Raise the minimum age for puppies to be imported into the UK to six months to help make them less desirable. 

• Bring in tougher penalties for smuggling pups to deter deceitful sellers. Only a handful of cases have ever been prosecuted and you can get a longer sentence for smuggling cigarettes than you can for smuggling puppies.

You can find out more about the Trust’s puppy smuggling work at www.dogstrust.org.uk/news-events/issues-campaigns/puppy-smuggling/

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