'Be on lookout for smuggled puppies if you buy a dog'

Charity warns on pet trade gangs

- BY STEPH SPYRO Environment Editor

ANIMAL lovers have been urged to watch out for smuggled pups ahead of Christmas.

More than 1,000 illegally imported young dogs arrived via Channel ports from 2020 to 2024 and had to be rehomed, the Dogs Trust said.

Josh Heath, the charity’s senior public affairs officer, explained: “While we would always encourage people to adopt one of the many animals looking for their second chance of finding their happy place, we know that people often have their hearts set on a particular breed or age of dog.”

He went on: “We know that the first time you meet your potential new puppy is such an exciting moment.