Puppy buyers warned of the risks of buying illegally imported dogs

by Gráinne Connolly

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is reminding anyone buying pet dogs of the dangers of inadvertently purchasing animals which have come from outside the UK and have not been properly vaccinated.

It's following a recent incident in Mid Ulster, where illegal puppies were being sold from the back of a van. 

The pups were advertised on the internet and when unsuspecting buyers arranged to meet the seller in a public car park, there was a van full of pups for sale. 

When purchased, the dog was subsequently examined by a vet and it transpired that it had been imported from outside the UK, had not been properly vaccinated and was much younger than the 15 weeks it was advertised for. 

Jackie Robinson, Director of Animal Health and Welfare Policy at DAERA warned that rabies is still present in many European countries and importing a non-vaccinated puppy from one of these countries can potentially endanger life. 

She said: 

"Owners of all dogs entering Northern Ireland from outside the UK must be:  

• at least 15 weeks old
   
• microchipped
   
• correctly vaccinated against rabies
   
• treated for tapeworm (unless the dog comes directly from Finland, Republic of Ireland, Malta or Norway)
   
• in possession of a pet passport or veterinary certificate

"There is ongoing illegal trade in pups imported from eastern Europe, and there has been an increase of instances of genuine purchasers being duped into buying illegally imported pups.

"These pups are often bred in very poor conditions which give rise to major health and welfare concerns.

"Where the legal requirements are not met, pets will either go into quarantine for a period of up to four months at the owners’ expense, or be sent back to the country they have travelled from, or the dog may be destroyed.

"This is necessary to keep Northern Ireland free of diseases such as rabies and Alveolar Echinococcus (a very severe human disease caused by tapeworms.)

"In addition to the potential disease risk from pups not properly vaccinated, the current cost of placing a dog into quarantine is approximately £1,000, and this could rise significantly depending on the individual circumstances or the length of stay required until a dog is authorised to leave. 

"The reality is that not all families will be able to afford these additional costs and therefore face the risk of having to experience the heartache of not being reunited with their family pet."
 

It is also worth remembering there are many puppies and dogs cared for by local animal charities needing new homes with caring owners.

Useful advice about purchasing puppies (and specifically imported dogs) as well as detailed guidance on the requirements for pet animals being brought into Northern Ireland from countries outside the UK is provided on NI Direct at the following link:

http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/buying-dog-and-responsible-dog-ownership