Subsequent stage for MP’s Puppy and Kitten Smuggling Bill

On Friday, March 15, Selaine Saxby MP spoke within the Second Reading of her Animal Welfare (Importation for Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill within the House of Commons.

The Government introduced its backing for the brand new laws which is able to shut present loopholes exploited by unscrupulous breeders and merchants to illegally smuggle cats and dogs into the UK.

Since 2012, the Pet Travel Scheme, created to make it simple for homeowners to take their household pets on vacation with them, has been abused by unscrupulous merchants.

The Bill will strengthen the Pet Travel Scheme to make sure that nobody is ready to fraudulently import animals on the market underneath the guise of being an proprietor travelling with their very own pets.

Measures within the Bill, which might be enacted by means of main laws, embody decreasing the variety of animals that may journey underneath the non business guidelines from 5 per person to 5 per car or three per foot or air passenger.

The Bill additionally ensures that when an authorised person carries out a non business motion of a canine, cat, or ferret, it could solely take place inside 5 days of the proprietor’s motion.

Measures within the Bill, which might be enacted by means of secondary laws, embody introducing prohibitions that prohibit the business and non business motion into Great Britain of puppies and kittens underneath six months, dogs and cats with non exempted mutilations, for instance, dogs with cropped ears or docked tails, declawed cats, and closely pregnant dogs and cats who’re greater than 42 days pregnant.

Bruce, a French Bulldog from the Dogs Trust and Blu, a Cavachon Puppy from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home have been in Westminster to take images after Selaine’s profitable Second Reading on Friday fifteenth March.

Selaine Saxby, MP for North Devon and Bill Sponsor mentioned: “I’m glad that the Government is supporting this very important Bill and dedicated to its swift passage to make sure safeguard the welfare of 1000’s of puppies, dogs, cats and ferrets that come into Great Britain from abroad annually.

“I want to thank the tireless campaigning from the pet charities who’ve shared their views about this Bill. I hope that they’re reassured by the measures outlined within the Bill which is able to cease this merciless commerce by closing loopholes exploited by unscrupulous business merchants.

“We really are a nation of pet lovers, and this legislation will ensure that the UK is leading the world when it comes to animal welfare.”

Owen Sharp, Chief Executive, Dogs Trust mentioned: “For greater than ten years, Dogs Trust has been working to deal with the horrific puppy smuggling commerce. We hope that Selaine’s Bill marks an necessary step in direction of tackling these points, in order that no extra dogs like Bruce should undergo by 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 at which they can be imported to 6 months.”

Harriet Main, Public Affairs Manager, RSPCA mentioned: “We’re delighted that this Bill is progressing – it’s enormous information for animal welfare. A change in legislation is urgently wanted to guard animals and shut authorized loopholes which have been abused for a lot of years by folks making fast money from the exploitation of animals.

“As we strive to create a better world for every animal in our 200th year, the RSPCA is urging MPs to support this Bill to ensure it passes through Parliament quickly.”