Legal News
Northants Trading Standards issues warning about illegally imported puppies (9 May 2016)
Date: 09/05/2016
Trading Standards officers in Northamptonshire have issued a reminder to consumers thinking of buying a puppy to be aware of scams involving illegally imported puppies, which might not have been vaccinated for rabies.
The warning follows a case involving a beagle puppy found to have been brought into the UK illegally from Moldova.
A vet discovered the origin of the puppy, which was vaccinated for rabies at nine-weeks-old, not the required 12 weeks – meaning the vaccine might not be effective.
The puppy had to be quarantined for 21 days at the cost of the owner.
The family had bought their puppy for £600, after seeing an advert online and going to view the dog in Birmingham.
The case follows two previous reports in Northamptonshire since October of puppies being brought into the UK illegally – the first a Slovakian puppy and the second a dog from Moldova.
Northamptonshire County Council’s Trading Standards team says that the main concern involving illegally imported puppies is that the dogs may not be properly vaccinated and rabies-free.
Trading Standards is again advising consumers to make sure they know where their new puppy has come from – and has had a health check by a vet.
Northamptonshire County Council Cabinet Member for public protection, strategic infrastructure and economic growth, Councillor André Gonzalez de Savage, said:
“The main issue around illegally imported puppies is that we can’t guarantee that the dogs are properly vaccinated and rabies-free.
“These puppies are usually sold via adverts on the Internet and in newspaper small ads – the dogs are accompanied by incomplete, false and forged documentation, which lead buyers to believe they have been imported legally or bred in the UK.
“I would encourage anyone who is thinking of buying a puppy to read our advice carefully before adding a pet to your family.”
Trading Standards is advising consumers to obtain as much information about where the puppy has come from as possible – and to be suspicious if the seller cannot show you the puppy with its mother and litter mates.
Duncan Lewis Criminal Solicitors
Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors can advise at any stage of a public protection offence, including supplying illegally imported pets or livestock, selling illegal tobacco or alcohol, selling counterfeit goods, mislabelling offences, weights and measures offences, breaches of food hygiene, selling defective produce, or health and safety breaches.
There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and in most major cities – and Duncan Lewis can advise businesses and sole traders at the start of an investigation and before charges are brought.
For expert legal advice on public protection offences, call Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors on 0333 772 0409.
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