Dwyfor Meirionnydd MP Liz Saville Roberts wants tougher measures to be implemented to clamp down on the dog smuggling trade.

The Dwyfor Meirionnydd MP has joined forces with the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, Dogs Trust, to urge the government to act, saying the current legislation is not fit for purpose.

Every year thousands of puppies are illegally imported into the UK to then be sold via online adverts to unsuspecting dog lovers, having been transported thousands of miles across Europe with little water, no food, exercise, or toilet breaks. Many suffer significant health problems and lifelong behavioural challenges, and some don’t survive, leaving their buyers helpless and heartbroken – as well as out of pocket.

Mrs Saville Roberts, who has previously raised the issue in Westminster, said: “‘I am pleased to join the Puppy Smuggling Taskforce and support Dogs Trust in their efforts to raise awareness of and tackle the abhorrent puppy smuggling trade.

“At a time when demand for dogs in the UK has never been higher, I want to urge my Dwyfor Meirionnydd constituents to really do their research before buying a puppy advertised for sale online.

“It’s all too easy to be duped into buying a dog that’s been illegally smuggled into the country.

“Dogs Trust has been campaigning on this issue for many years now, and I’m proud to join them again this year to help put a stop to puppies needlessly suffering at the hands of criminals. The UK government should act now and bring in tougher penalties for smuggling puppies to deter deceitful sellers. Only a handful of cases have ever been prosecuted. Too many puppies are suffering at the hands of unscrupulous traders.”

Dogs Trust veterinary director Paula Boyden said: “Sadly, we continue to see more heart-breaking examples of puppies being illegally imported into the country.

“Puppy smugglers are making vast profits by exploiting innocent puppies, breeding, and transporting them in appalling conditions to sell onto dog lovers here in the UK.”