Family pets travelling from Northern Ireland to compete at dog show Crufts are now considered to be ‘livestock’ by DAERA, it has been confirmed.
Dogs owners traveling to Great Britain must abide by welfare rules intended for the transport of cows, sheep, pigs and poultry in lorries during single journeys exceeding 12 hours.
The move has caused outrage amongst Northern Ireland’s show dog fraternity, with many of them opting to travel to England via Dublin to avoid additional paperwork and checks intended for farm animals. And the ruling effects travel to all dogs show no matter the size or celebrity status.
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A spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture explained they are currently treating show dogs as “commercial commodities” because they claim the value of a dog can increase “by virtue of attending a dog show”.
But they acknowledge that enhanced checks introduced in 2021 in a bid to tackle illegal puppy farming, have “inadvertently impacted” people travelling to dog shows, and they acknowledge that clarity is urgently needed on the legislative position.
Tracey Douglas works as a dog groomer to fund her show dog hobby.The Belfast woman explained: “Our dogs are not livestock, they’re our pets. Our dogs are not being transported for the food market, without supervision in the back of a truck for 12-plus hours, they are in safety carriers in our cars and vans, or secured by a seatbelt in the seat beside us. Our dogs are not illegal puppy farmed mix breeds being transported for sale, they are our pedigree family members.
“Our dogs’ welfare is our top priority. Showing dogs is not a commercial enterprise, it is a very costly hobby. To claim that some people profit from just attending dog shows is pure nonsense.
“One of my dogs is a perfect example. Trooper is a Labrador who is not available at stud due to failed health tests so we cannot and would not breed him. He’s five years old, and last year he attended 33 shows in Ireland, each with a €30 an entry, and another 12 shows in the UK, again at £30 per entry. The entry fees alone for one pet in one year cost me £1,350 and add to that the cost of diesel, ferries and hotel accommodation.
“About 24,000 dogs are expected to attend Crufts from March 9 - 12 this year and only one of them will win Best in Show. The dog’s owner will be presented with a check for £100 and a replica of the solid silver Crufts Keddall Memorial Trophy. For that one dog, there is potential for financial gain through association with brands and perhaps breeding, but not for the other 23,999 dogs.”
“I feel DAERA’s approach to the show dog people is appalling. They have banded together two distinct groups, dog show people who prioritise their pet pedigree dogs, and puppy farmers who prioritise money over any welfare and are mainly producing cross breeds which can’t be shown.
“In the Republic of Ireland, there are clear rules on the definition of commercial and non-commercial dog transport and that’s why so many show people are now traveling to Dublin in order to get to shows in GB.”
DAERA’s policy on checks on pets being transported to shows is under urgent review which they say is near completion, but it comes too late for this year’s biggest UK dog show, Crufts 2023, and they have appealed for patience from pet owners.
A spokesperson for the department said: “The DAERA Welfare Team is urgently conducting a review of the welfare in transport policy in relation to animals that are being taken to and from shows.
“As soon as this review has been completed, a full refresh of the welfare in transport guidance on the DAERA website is planned.
“DAERA’s priorities include protecting the welfare of animals when they are being transported as well as cracking down on the illegal trafficking of puppies. In a move to tackle the abhorrent trade in puppy smuggling, in December 2021, DAERA introduced enhanced checks at Northern Ireland ports on people travelling with dogs to Great Britain.
“While these enhanced checks have proven very successful in intercepting individuals who illegally move dogs from Northern Ireland to GB, we are conscious that many individuals involved with showing dogs have been inadvertently impacted and require clarity on the legislative position.
“As an animal can increase in value by virtue of attending such events, the Department currently considers these types of movement as commercial in nature and therefore additional documentation is required, including transporter authorisation and vehicle approval where the journey exceeds 12 hours within the UK.
“Anyone travelling with a dog to a show will have their journey classified as an economic activity and thus fall under the welfare in transport regulations.
“DAERA’s current interpretation of the EC No 1/2005 is that financial gain is not limited to cash prizes but would also include indirect financial gain through the increase in breeding value of animals that placed well in any show.
“DAERA currently operates an exemption to this rule - the Single Animal Exemption. This will allow one adult to travel with one dog up to a maximum of four adults and four dogs on a one-to-one ratio, and be exempted from the current welfare in transport regulations.”
“We would ask pet owners who are travelling to shows in GB, including Crufts, for their patience and co-operation in complying with the existing requirements as we work to find the best way to tackle the illegal puppy trade.”
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