Importing dogs risking welfare of UK animals

The British Veterinary Association’s Spring 2018 Voice of the Veterinary Profession has revealed some alarming facts. 40% of vets who responded to the survey noted they have seen new or rare conditions like ehrlichiosis and heartworm in their practice in the last 12 months that they believe is a direct result of dogs being imported into the UK, and the vast majority of those who responded are concerned or very concerned about the situation. Over a 25% of them reported cases of zoonosis leishmaniasis.
Head of the European Scientific Counsel Companion Animal Parasites UK and Ireland, Ian Wright, agreed: “We field queries on parasites from pet owners and from veterinary professionals, and reports of cases of exotic parasites and pathogens from abroad coming in on imported and travelled pets and turning up on consulting room tables across the country are going up every month. The situation can’t continue as it is without there being parasitic epidemics and the establishment of infection in the UK.”
The BVA said: “Well-meaning animal lovers are inadvertently putting the health and welfare of millions of the UK’s animals and people at risk by importing rescue dogs from abroad.”
John Fishwick, BVA president, said: “We are nation of animal lovers, so the desire to rescue stray, neglected or abused animals from other countries and give them loving homes in the UK is completely understandable. Unfortunately, the hidden consequence of this can be disastrous for the health and welfare of other pets, as well as humans. As vets, we are extremely concerned about the risks posed by rescuing dogs with unknown health histories from abroad and, while it may sound harsh, we believe the wider consequences for the UK dog population must outweigh the benefit to an individual animal being imported.”