UK government investigates puppy mills and designer pets amid abuse claims

The UK Parliament’s Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (EFRA) announced the launch of an inquiry considering the post-pandemic health and welfare concerns of companion animals, “including abuse and mutilation.”

The committee has called on the public to submit evidence by 31 March 2023 on actions such as back-yard ‘puppy mills,’ breeding ‘designer dogs,’ and importing heavily pregnant dogs. 

The committee is also looking into hazards presented to dog welfare by unregulated and illegal canine fertility clinics. The committee is also looking into hazards presented to dog welfare by unregulated and illegal canine fertility clinics, as well as the effectiveness of the mutilation ban. 

It is reviewing biosecurity and public health risks posed by these activities, calling them abhorrent and unscrupulous. Other areas of the inquiry include pet abandonment due to the high cost of living and stress faced by those dealing with them, such as vet clinics and welfare homes. 

Existing evidence

EFRA Chair Sir Robert Goodwill said he is aware and has evidence of pet abuse taking place and has already informed the EFRA on the pet smuggling matter. 

“The Committee intends to get to the root of what is going on and hear how best to improve pet welfare and stamp out bad practice,” he said.

“Unregulated back-yard breeding of ‘designer dogs,’ not to mention cruel practices such as the declawing of cats for cosmetic purposes, should not take place anywhere, let alone in our country, which is known as a nation of animal lovers.”  

A detailed response

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) welcomed the inquiry. GlobalPETS learned the association is also working on developing a “detailed response” liaising with the members of the UK Parliament. 

According to the association, the UK Government could make a “huge difference” to animal welfare by resuscitating its “stalled and extremely delayed” Kept Animals Bill, first introduced in the House of Commons in June 2021, but remains on standby.

The proposal, which includes banning the import of puppies, dogs with cropped ears, and pregnant dogs, would positively impact the puppy and dog market and animal welfare in general across the country, according to RSPCA.

Pet associations welcome the initiative

The Pet Industry Federation (PIF) applauded the parliamentary inquiry. CEO Nigel Baker shared that the PIF will be consulting its members to help shape its response to issues highlighted in the inquiry over the coming weeks.

UK Pet Food Deputy Chief Executive Nicole Paley said that animal welfare and well-being are “at the center of everything we do.”

She added that its members have been addressing unethical breeding practices and the bio-security risks aligned with importing dogs. Together they have called for action on mutilations and are currently looking for the best way to tackle canine fertility clinics.