Dog lovers in Hertsmere will soon be assured about the health and welfare of their puppies thanks to a proposed new law.

Plans for a new law to prevent puppy smugglers from importing poorly and ill dogs were backed in Parliament yesterday.

Under the Animal Welfare (importation of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill, people selling pets would be banned from importing puppies under six months old, while heavily pregnant dogs would also not be allowed to travel, while ‘mutilated’ animals, such as puppies with cropped ears, would also be stopped.

The plans have been brought forward in a Private Members Bill by North Devon MP Selaine Saxby who says a huge surge in puppy smuggling started during the Covid pandemic as owners struggled to find the puppies they wanted.

Oliver said: ‘I care greatly about animals and their welfare. As a dog owner myself, I believe that how we treat our animals is a measure of our civility as a society.

I am therefore pleased that plans for a new law to prevent puppy smugglers from importing poorly and ill dogs were backed in Parliament yesterday. The law will also see stronger penalties for anyone who breaks the rules.’

Oliver added: ‘We really are a nation of pet lovers, and this legislation will ensure the UK is leading the world when it comes to animal welfare.’

For more details about the bill, please visit: https://www.selainesaxby.org.uk/news/selaine-saxby-take-ending-puppy-smuggling-private-members-bill