A Lanarkshire MP has joined a leading animal charity in calling for an end to puppy smuggling.
This week Dr Lisa Cameron, MP for East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow, attended an event organised by The Dogs Trust at the House of Commons, where the charity called on the Government to take urgent action to end the cruel practice.
MPs were invited to discuss with the charity how they can work together to end the illegal trade by ensuring the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill is passed by Parliament.
The charity is also calling for the Government to include visual checks at the borders in its plan to put a stop to the cruel trade once and for all.
The Kept Animals Bill includes provisions to tackle abuse of the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS), which the charity has been exposing since 2014.
Through five undercover investigations, Dogs Trust has revealed the falsifying of documents to import underage puppies, often unvaccinated and in poor welfare conditions, which go on to be sold to unsuspecting buyers in the UK.
However, having been introduced to Parliament in 2021, the Bill has not progressed any further through the Parliamentary process since last November.
During this time, puppies and pregnant dogs continue to be smuggled into the UK on an industrial scale.
Ms Cameron said: “I was shocked to learn about the horrendous ways puppies are smuggled into the UK and the poor conditions they endure.
"I hope that Dogs Trust’s campaign will motivate the Government to progress with the Kept Animals Bill and to include their recommendation of including a requirement to carry out a visual check on dogs entering the country, as this will be a key factor in bringing about the end of Puppy Smuggling.”
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