100 signatures reached
To: Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Stop importing rescue dogs from other countries
Stop allowing charities to import stray and rescue dogs from abroad .
Why is this important?
There are currently about 30000 stray and abandoned dogs imported into the UK every year from the EU and other countries. The UK is very fortunate to have relatively few infectious diseases in the pet dog population. Dogs imported to the UK with poor vaccination history and parasite prevention treatments are significantly increasing the risk of bringing diseases and parasites into this country. There have already been reported cases of babesia and distemper in the UK, we have been free of this disease in the past.
These imported dogs are also usually poorly socialised and used to living on the streets as feral pack animals, it takes a very dedicated owner to adopt such a dog and get it to adapt to life as a pet. There is a significant risk that they will be fearful and can bite the very people who are trying to help them. Where a dog is rehomed and does not settle with the family these dogs are ending up in the existing oversubscribed dog rescue and rehoming centres. Dog breeders and traders are taking advantage of the kind hearted people who are importing these dogs and they are breeding dogs just to export them to the UK.
It would be better to set up rehoming centres and shelters in the countries where the stray dogs are a problem and encouraging neutering programs and responsible pet ownership in these places.
People in the UK who are looking to rehome a pet dog should visit a local rescue or rehoming centre.
These imported dogs are also usually poorly socialised and used to living on the streets as feral pack animals, it takes a very dedicated owner to adopt such a dog and get it to adapt to life as a pet. There is a significant risk that they will be fearful and can bite the very people who are trying to help them. Where a dog is rehomed and does not settle with the family these dogs are ending up in the existing oversubscribed dog rescue and rehoming centres. Dog breeders and traders are taking advantage of the kind hearted people who are importing these dogs and they are breeding dogs just to export them to the UK.
It would be better to set up rehoming centres and shelters in the countries where the stray dogs are a problem and encouraging neutering programs and responsible pet ownership in these places.
People in the UK who are looking to rehome a pet dog should visit a local rescue or rehoming centre.
