OPINION

       Danny Chambers' Bill would ban puppy smuggling (Image: FOUR PAWS UK)

       In my maiden speech in Parliament, I highlighted a growing form of animal cruelty that has emerged as a tragic consequence of our love for animals and the increasing demand for pets - the practice of puppy and kitten smuggling.

       That’s why, when the opportunity arose, I introduced legislation to tackle this abhorrent trade and end the cruelty endured by thousands of animals every year, as well as the heartbreak experienced by families and veterinarians like myself who strive to care for these often sick and traumatised animals.

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       Today, MPs voted to support my Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill. This landmark legislation will crack down on the exploitative puppy and kitten smuggling trade, finally giving us the power to stop the systematic abuse of animals for profit.

       The UK has long prided itself on being a nation of animal lovers. Yet, regrettably, the current system leaves the door open for criminal gangs to profit from cruelty.

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       Every year, thousands of puppies - often torn from their mothers - are transported across Europe in horrific conditions, only to be sold to unsuspecting families here. These animals frequently arrive riddled with disease, physically and mentally traumatised.

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       Danny Chambers put forward a private members' bill to crack down on puppy smuggling (Image: FOUR PAWS UK)

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       The current system is alarmingly susceptible to exploitation and difficult to police effectively. Research commissioned by FOUR PAWS UK found that nearly one-third of online classified adverts for dogs were associated with the illegal trade of underage puppies, frequently accompanied by falsified documentation. This underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reforms.

       The legislation is grounded in compassion and evidence, informed by professionals and NGOs. Based on that expert advice, my Bill proposes stringent import restrictions aimed at dismantling the exploitative trade.

       The Bill will prohibit the importation of heavily pregnant dogs and cats, and animals that have undergone mutilations like ear cropping. It will raise the minimum age that cats and dogs can be imported to six months, and restrict the number of animals that can be brought into the UK under non-commercial pet travel rules. These measures will set a new, humane standard for how we treat animals at our borders.

       The Bill is also vital for safeguarding public health. The illegal cross-border trade in dogs and cats poses significant risks, including the potential introduction of diseases such as rabies and brucellosis canis – both of which can affect humans.

       As we mark five years since the Covid-19 pandemic, which underlined the critical link between human and animal health and brought the concept of “One Health” into sharp focus, it is imperative that we do everything in our power to limit our exposure to future zoonotic diseases.

       Many of my colleagues will have seen FOUR PAWS UK’s takeover of Westminster tube station, now adorned with support for the campaign and urging Parliament to #CrackdownOnPuppySmuggling. This support is reflective of the strength of feeling amongst the public to improve the lives of animals.

       The cross-party support my bill has enjoyed reflects how much we all care about animal welfare. My Parliamentary colleague and fellow vet, Conservative MP Dr Neil Hudson, has backed the Bill, and the Labour Government has pledged its full support.

       Supporters of organisations like FOUR PAWS UK as well as the RSPCA, Battersea Dogs and Cats Home and Dogs Trust have signed petitions, written to MPs, and raised awareness. The passing of this Bill will be as much their victory as it is mine.

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       Whilst this Bill marks a significant milestone in our fight against animal cruelty, it is not the final step. It will not end all suffering overnight, but it sends a powerful message: the UK will not tolerate the exploitation of animals for profit. And it finally gives us the tools we need to fight back.

       I now call on my colleagues in the House of Lords to get this Bill passed into law.

       Dr Danny Chambers is the Liberal Democrat MP for Winchester