United Kingdom: New legislation introduced to combat pet smuggling

The Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill has received royal assent and has thus come into force. 

In future, traders will be prohibited from transporting large numbers of animals for sale in a single vehicle; a maximum of five animals may be transported per journey. In addition, pets travelling without their owners must do so within five days before or after their owner's own journey. 

The law also contains several import bans to prevent animals from having to endure long journeys in poor conditions. For example, the import of dogs and cats under six months of age, mutilated animals such as docked dogs or declawed cats, and heavily pregnant animals is no longer permitted, with certain exceptions.