New figures on illegally imported puppies
French bulldogs were the most commonly smuggled breed, accounting for 23 per cent of illegally imported breeds.(stock photo)
Underage and unvaccinated puppies are still being brought to the UK from central and Eastern Europe, the Dogs Trust has said, as it releases new figures from its pilot quarantine scheme.
Since the scheme's launch in December 2015, the charity has been caring for illegally imported puppies during their time in quarantine. Prior to this, seized puppies faced being euthanised or turned away at the borders, meaning another long journey without food or water and risk of abandonment.
Out of 382 puppies seized in the past six months, 90 per cent were too young to travel, the charity says.
Shorter-nosed breeds such as French bulldogs, pugs and English bulldogs - who find confined travelling conditions particularly difficult to cope with - were among the most common breeds to be illegally imported. These breeds accounted for 64 per cent of the dogs cared for by the Dogs Trust.
The 'horrific' travelling conditions combined with lack of proper vaccinations meant that nearly 10 per cent of dogs died before the charity could help them.
According to the new figures, French bulldogs were the most commonly smuggled breed, accounting for 23 per cent of illegally imported breeds. Pugs are a close second at 22 per cent, followed by dachshunds (20 per cent) and English bulldogs (17 per cent).
To raise awareness of the black market trade, a giant billboard made from 750 toy puppies has been constructed on a busy Shoreditch street. Each toy represents a real puppy rescued at the border and cared for by the Dogs Trust.
Passers-by are free to take a toy off the billboard, which resembles a giant computer screen to highlight the sale of puppies online. Each toy comes with a collar tag displaying the real puppy's story and as the toys are removed, a stark message will be revealed underneath.
Dogs Trust veterinary director Paula Boyden said: "We hope our billboard will communicate that, whether you pluck a dog from a billboard on the street or click a link in an online advert, it shouldn't be this easy to get a puppy. We urge the public to be extra vigilant when buying a puppy and to spread the word so we can stop the despicable illegal trade once and for all."
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
