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A new law aimed at curbing the illegal importation of puppies and kittens into Great Britain has been successfully passed by Parliament this week, overcoming the failure of two prior attempts. Animal welfare organizations have hailed the legislation as a major breakthrough, though concerns remain about possible unintended effects of the new rules.
In one poignant example from September 2025, two small Yorkshire Terriers, later named Pip and Squeak by the Dogs Trust, were rescued at the Port of Dover after enduring a grueling 26-hour journey from Slovakia in confined conditions. Katie Bryan, the charity’s Rehoming Coordinator, described the puppies as “quite shut down and a little wary of everything,” attributing their fragile state to being separated from their mother prematurely, which left them uncertain about how to behave and interact with humans.
Since the UK left the EU, politicians have sought new powers to enforce import restrictions more effectively, with the illegal puppy trade becoming a particular focus. In 2023 alone, 116 puppies and kittens were intercepted at Dover for being younger than the legal minimum age of 15 weeks. Many of these animals are smuggled with falsified documents or hidden microchips, while others are disguised as pets. Matt Henning from the Animal and Plant Health Agency, responsible for identifying smuggled animals, described the harsh conditions animals often endure during transit. He recounted instances where dogs were found “up against raw meat, up against motorbike wheels, under drivers’ seats,” some even suffering severe injuries inflicted to conceal them.
The newly enacted law raises the minimum age for importing puppies and kittens to six months, a change intended to simplify the identification of illegal imports and reduce demand by limiting access to younger, more appealing animals. The Animal and Plant Health Agency views this as an effective deterrent, calling it a “blocker” on the trade. However, this change has drawn some criticism. Rosemary Kind, chair of the Entelbucher Mountain Dog Club of Great Britain, emphasized the challenges faced by breed clubs that rely on importing young puppies due to a limited gene pool. She highlighted the impracticality and increased costs of waiting until puppies are six months old, stating, “These are not puppy farms that we’re getting dogs from. They’re people who bring up dogs in their own homes.” Kind is collaborating with The Kennel Club to seek exemptions for specialist breeds.
Furthermore, the legislation prohibits the import of dogs that have had their ears cropped or tails docked at any age. Ear cropping, which involves the removal of ear flaps, is already illegal in the UK but remains common in some countries. Danny Chambers, a Liberal Democrat MP who championed the bill, described the practice’s negative welfare impact, noting the risk of infections and
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