Dogs Trust Newbury issues warning ahead of online festive shopping rush and asks people not to buy puppies for Christmas

Dogs Trust Newbury has urged people not to buy puppies for Christmas as smugglers flood the festive market with illegally imported pooches.

Smugglers from Central and Eastern Europe continue to illegally import puppies as they look to cash in on a key period for puppy purchasing.

Dogs Trust believes the increase and popularity of shopping online combined with “paltry” penalties for those caught illegally importing dogs relative to the “huge” profits to be made, is creating a “perfect storm” for the puppy smuggling trade.

Dogs Trust rehoming centre manager Karla Haines said: “It’s very easy, especially when you’re looking for a puppy, to make decisions with your heart. But this is exactly the trap smugglers want you to fall into.

“Unknowingly buying a smuggled puppy could have very real consequences for the owner too. The puppy might be too young to have been legally imported or have health issues that you don’t necessarily notice until too late.”

Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, has been campaigning against puppy smuggling for many years.

More than 2,000 puppies have been seized at the UK border and taken into Dogs Trust’s care as part of its Puppy Pilot scheme since it launched in 2015 – an estimated equivalent market value of more than £3m.

The scheme provides quarantine and support for puppies seized at ports until they can go to loving new homes. Seizing and rehoming these puppies helps to take money out of the pockets of the illegal importers.

Dogs Trust has described the impact on animal welfare as “significant”, as many smuggled dogs have been found in “horrendous” conditions and this often affects their development.

The charity is actively calling on the Government to allow the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill to be passed so that the trade can be tackled once and for all.

Ms Haines added: “If we don’t crack down on puppy smuggling soon, our fear is that it will continue causing suffering and misery for so many dogs.

“We are urging the Government to progress the Kept Animals Bill through Parliament as a priority, to introduce vital protections for pets and bring an end to this barbaric trade.”