Virendra Sharma MP Backs Bill to Protect Animals
'Urgent' legislation would tackle puppy and kitten smuggling
Virendra Sharma MP at the recent meeting in the House of Commons
March 5, 2024
Ealing Southall’s MP has given his backing to a new Bill to extend extra protection to animals.
Virendra Sharma voiced his support at an event held this Monday (4 March) hosted by a coalition of charities including Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, Cats Protection, Dogs Trust, FOUR PAWS UK and RSPCA.
The legislation, which he described as urgent, will tackle illegal puppy smuggling and stop dogs with cropped ears and declawed cats from being imported into the country.
The second reading of the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill is due to take place on 15 March.
The Bill, introduced as a Private Members Bill by Selaine Saxby MP, will introduce specific restrictions around the importation and movement (both commercial and non-commercial) of dogs, cats and ferrets into the country.
It is hoped the Bill will help tackle the illegal importation of puppies and kittens into the country, which has become a huge issue of concern over the past decade. The trade increasingly involves gangs who are associated with serious organised crime.
The Bill will also increase the minimum age that puppies and kittens can be imported into the country - to six months - and limit the number of animals that can be imported in a single vehicle. It will also prohibit the importation of dogs and cats in the later stages of pregnancy.
Mr Sharma said, “This Bill will protect cats and dogs from painful procedures such as declawing and ear cropping, and will place restrictions on the ages that cats, dogs and ferrets can be brought into the country from overseas, clamping down on the lucrative trade in puppies and kittens which often seriously compromises their welfare and wellbeing.
RSPCA public affairs manager Harriet Main said, “A change in law is urgently needed to protect animals and close legal loopholes that have been exploited for many years by people making quick cash from the exploitation of animals. As we strive to create a better world for every animal, we’d like to thank Virendra Sharma for attending this event to pledge their support for this Bill.”
Sonul Badiani-Hamment, Country Director at FOUR PAWS UK, said, “This Bill is urgently needed to improve legal protections for companion animals, so we are hugely grateful to Parliamentarians across the political spectrum who are standing alongside us and Selaine Saxby MP calling for much needed legal change.
“The illegal trade in puppy smuggling must be stopped; and by supporting this Bill, Virendra is helping us make sure that puppies will be protected from this cruel trade.
“We hope that there will be sufficient political support across Westminster to get this important legislation over the line as quickly as possible and that the Bill will be robust enough to make a real difference for the companion animals that our nation of animal lovers so dearly cherish.”
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