New Legislation Aims to Combat Puppy Smuggling in the UK

This week, Parliament approved a significant law targeting the illegal trafficking of puppies and kittens into the United Kingdom, following two unsuccessful attempts in previous sessions.

Animal welfare organizations herald this legislation as a transformative step, although concerns about potential unintended effects linger.

In September 2025, two young Yorkshire Terriers were intercepted at the Port of Dover, having endured a harrowing 26 hours in a cramped box in a vehicle journeying from Slovakia.

At just seven weeks old, they were named Pip and Squeak by Dogs Trust, which provided them shelter. Katie Bryan, the charity’s Rehoming Coordinator, described their initial state: “They were rather withdrawn and apprehensive about their surroundings.”

She noted that their premature separation from their mother had left them struggling to understand how to behave like dogs or interact with people and their environment.

Government’s Commitment to Animal Welfare

Since the UK’s exit from the EU, politicians have committed to intensifying efforts against the illegal puppy trade, facilitated by the ability to modify import regulations.

In 2023, authorities confiscated 116 puppies and kittens at the Port of Dover for failing to meet the minimum age requirement of 15 weeks. Many of these animals were brought in with fraudulent documents or had microchips containing misleading information concealed in their collars.

Some were falsely presented as pets to circumvent regulations. Matt Henning, who oversees inspections at the Animal and Plant Health Agency, indicated that many animals arrive in appalling conditions.

Shocking Conditions for Smuggled Animals

Henning recounted that some pets were found crammed into vans or vehicles, often in makeshift cages or unsecured. “We’ve encountered them wedged against raw meat, under motorbike wheels, or trapped beneath drivers’ seats,” he explained, highlighting the distressing nature of these cases.

His team frequently encounters challenging behaviors from those attempting to smuggle animals, and, tragically, some animals arrive in such poor health that they must be euthanized.

Henning recalled a particularly harrowing case involving a Romanian dog that came in barely conscious after smugglers employed various methods to sneak it into the UK. “It was wearing a diaper to catch its waste, and one leg was bandaged; when it reached the vet, it was discovered to be in excruciating pain,” he said.

Illegally imported dogs might not have undergone necessary disease testing, posing a risk to both themselves and their potential owners in the UK.

New Age Limit for Imports

The newly passed legislation will raise the minimum age for importing puppies and kittens into Great Britain to six months. The Animal and Plant Health Agency asserts that this change will simplify the identification of underage animals and disrupt the smuggling trade, as older puppies are less appealing.

While many agree with the concept of the new age restriction, there are warnings about possible adverse effects.

Rosemary Kind, chair of the Entelbucher Mountain Dog Club of Great Britain, emphasized the need to import puppies due to the limited gene pool in the UK, which raises concerns about potential health issues if breeding is restricted to local dogs alone.

Concerns Over Increased Costs

She argued that requiring puppies to be six months old before importation could significantly inflate costs and is impractical for responsible breeders. “These are not commercial puppy farms; they are individuals raising dogs in their homes. Expecting them to keep a puppy for an extended period is unreasonable,” she stated.

Alternative approaches, such as importing stud dogs or semen, are either less feasible or pose greater health risks, leading her to collaborate with The Kennel Club to advocate for exceptions for certain breeds.

Restrictions on Mutilated Dogs

The new legislation will also prohibit the import of dogs that have undergone ear cropping or tail docking, regardless of age. Ear cropping, the process of removing part or all of a dog’s ear flap, is banned in the UK.

Despite its illegality, Lib Dem MP Danny Chambers, who played a pivotal role in the law’s passage, reported that he frequently encountered this practice during his veterinary career. He cautioned that such procedures can lead to severe infections and behavioral issues.

“If a dog has just had its ears cut without anesthesia, it will likely flinch at any touch to its head,” Chambers remarked, noting that this can foster aggression in dogs towards others, as they rely on body language for communication.

Earlier this year, Louise Nicholson Hume adopted a cane corso named Betty, who had been subjected to ear cropping and tail docking in Romania before being rescued at Dover for being underage. “We anticipated negative reactions, but our priority was her happiness,” she shared.

Initially terrified, Betty has since blossomed into a “very eager learner,” according to Hume, who added that aside from her snoring, she is truly remarkable.

Potential Impact on Rescue Efforts

However, some individuals express concerns that the new regulations might hinder their ability to assist animals that have already been mutilated abroad. Linda Demetriou, who heads Stronger Together Animal Rescue, emphasized the need for exemptions for rescue dogs.

“Dogs that have suffered abuse and need help will face a lifetime in a cage if we cannot find them loving homes,” she warned.

Yet, animal welfare advocates caution that any exceptions could be exploited by smugglers to sustain their operations, ultimately allowing those who engage in illegal mutilation in the UK to evade accountability.

David Bowles from the RSPCA remarked, “Often, when we interview individuals who have illegally cropped a dog’s ears, they claim, ‘Don’t worry; I imported the dog last week.’ By preventing such imports, we can remove that excuse and significantly enhance our enforcement efforts against the ban.”

Next Steps for Implementation

The government is collaborating with the devolved administrations in Scotland and Wales to establish additional regulations that are necessary for the measures to be enacted. Decisions regarding any potential exemptions will be made as part of this regulatory process.

In a heartwarming conclusion, Pip and Squeak have found their forever homes and have been renamed Elsa and Skye. Their new families report that the two are settling in beautifully.