“Puppy smuggling has been going on for years” claims Dorset charity

A Dorset dog charity believes thousands of owners are being conned into buying a puppy which has been illegally imported. 

This comes in response to statistics revealed by UK leading charity, Dogs Trust.

A survey by the charity found one in eight puppy buyers said their seller lied to them about the dog they were buying.

And today Ginny Roberts, Trustee for Wimborne based Waggy Tails Rescue said:

“The statistics by Dogs Trust comes as little surprise to us as we know it’s been going on for so long.

“It’s an issue that has needed addressing for some time.”

Getting a new best friend

Buying puppies from abroad has become the norm for many families.

Dog owner Liz Hobbs adopted her dog Bo from Romania after he was discovered living on the streets.

She spoke of the process she went through when bringing Bo over to the UK.

“An animal charity popped up on my Facebook, advertising dogs and cats abroad who needed rehoming,” said Ms Hobbs.

“One day I was scrolling through their page and I saw one scruffy looking dog looking very sorry for himself, but gorgeous at the same time.

“The charity was extremely helpful when it came to adopting him.

“They took a deposit and then paid for his passport, medicines, vaccinations, everything.”

Looking to speak to owners of puppies who may have been conned into buying them after they were illegally imported into the UK. This is for a short radio news package following the stats released by Dogs Trust – https://t.co/bxBMUwx1kX#journorequests #puppies #DogsTrust

— Rob Edwards (@rob_edwards19) January 28, 2020

Puppy smuggling trade

Whilst Ms Hobbs and her family enjoyed a smooth ride when it came to welcoming Bo into her home, others aren’t so lucky.

Dogs Trust polled over 2,000 owners to see how buyers may have fallen victim to puppy smuggling in the past.

This involves puppies being bought into the UK to sell for vast profits.

Owners polled described how sellers would falsify paperwork or offer discounts in order to enable a quick and straightforward transaction.

The results of the survey showed that 51% of puppy owners were not allowed to see their puppy more than once while over two fifths were not allowed to see their puppy with their mum.

The Response

Dogs Trust have setup a new campaign to help owners become aware of when they are possibly being conned called ‘Don’t Be Dogfished’.

To help address puppy smuggling, @DogsTrust has introduced a new campaign #AnimalCruelty #Puppies #DogsTrust – infographic by @rob_edwards19 pic.twitter.com/u22aU5Z7o3

— Buzz News (@buzz_bmth) January 30, 2020

Waggy Tails Rescue Wimborne, is a charity which aims to rehome dogs within the Dorset area.

When asked about the new campaign, Ms Roberts certainly believed it was a step in the right direction.

“People should always be able to see their puppy before the process of buying them begins.

“Furthermore, they have the right to see not just the puppy, but the puppies’ parents as-well.”

For more information about the campaign and puppy smuggling, visit the Dogs Trust website.