Dr Neil Hudson MP, the only vet elected as a Member of Parliament since 1884, used his professional expertise to reaffirm just how necessary the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill - known as the ‘Puppy Smuggling Bill’ - as it passed its Second Reading on 15th March.
Working closely with the Bill's sponsor. Selaine Saxby MP, Dr Hudson has helped finetune measures that would close loopholes exploited by unscrupulous smugglers to bring in underage puppies and kittens, heavily pregnant dogs, pets that have been mutilated and those carrying infectious diseases which have their own implications for UK public health.
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 nonexempted 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.
Watch the full debate back here: https://www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/d1e71574-3746-4a97-83d0-5b77ae2d1026
Dr Hudson has been a long-standing champion of this crackdown:
Dr Neil Hudson MP, Veterinary Surgeon and EFRA Committee Member, said:
"We absolutely have a moral imperative to safeguard the dogs, cats and ferrets that suffer so greatly at the hands of unscrupulous smugglers. I am delighted to have supported this Bill through its Second Reading today. It is absolutely the right thing to do.
"Having triggered an Inquiry into this on our EFRA Select Committee, I have heard such harrowing testimonies of dogs being trafficked into this country in terrible conditions with puppies dragged away from their mother too young, heavily pregnant dogs in and out of the country to give birth, and dogs coming in with diseases that they may pass to domestic pets or even people. This was just grim to hear firsthand and I am so glad we are passing legislation to tackle the issue head on.
"I once again pay tribute to Selaine Saxby for utilising a rare Private Member's Bill to act on the public's animal health and welfare priorities and stamp out animal smuggling once and for all."
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 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 which they can be imported to 6 months.”
