Dog experts are warning a rise in the number of animals being imported illegally to Nottinghamshire is putting the county at risk of rabies.
County council trading standards officers say they have seized at least two fake ‘pet passports’ per month over the last year.
The documents were introduced in 2000 to allow some dogs to skip quarantine when coming into the UK, provided they have had the proper checks.
But in the last three years fake versions of the passports have become more common, leading to fears a dog with the deadly rabies infection could arrive in the county.
The virus is spread by infected animals biting humans and is nearly always fatal if left untreated.
Julie Adams, is director of Calagran Four Paws Hotel and Quarantine Kennels in Chesterfield, where seized Nottinghamshire dogs are often taken into quarantine.
She said: “We are increasingly engaging with the trading standards team on what is becoming a growing problem with fake pet passports and illegally imported puppies.
“The dealers are not concerned about the welfare of these puppies they are bringing to the UK, and many puppies have not been fully vaccinated, so pose a real risk of rabies.
“It is jeopardising the safety of other animals and wildlife here in the UK.”
Picture: Lacey the West Highland Terrier was sold with a forged pet passport
Since 2000, there have been four rabies deaths in humans in the UK – none were linked to dogs in the country – but two of the cases involved people being bitten by infected dogs while abroad.
County council trading standards officer Paul Gretton has seen cases involving people tempted into buying pedigree puppies online, which may be cheaper but which sometimes have come from overseas on fake documents.
Owners are left facing an agonising decision
He said: “Owners are then faced with the agonising decision that it could cost hundreds and in some cases thousands of pounds in quarantine and veterinary bills – or face having their pet destroyed.
“It can be heart-breaking for someone who has just begun to bond with their puppy to find themselves in this position – as well as the welfare of the dogs being in question.”
Essential checks: What to do when buying a puppy?
- Research the purchase thoroughly before buying. There is clear advice on the internet from a number of sources, including the RSPCA, Kennel Club and Dogs Trust
- Pet passports should be examined carefully to ensure the dates of inoculation and age of the dog is consistent
- If you are in any doubt the advice of a vet should be sought, who can normally tell if a pet passport if forged or real
- Walk away from any seller who will not allow you to show a vet the pet passport or see the puppy with its mother, who may be in another country if illegally imported
- Consider the price – if a puppy is being sold for a cheap price, there is always a reason why and a forged pet passport may be the reason
Fraudsters are forging pet passports so puppies can be brought into the country at an age where it is not safe because the full course of vaccinations have not been given.
They are sold online for around £500, whereas a legal pedigree dog reared in the UK would cost between £1,000 and £1,500.
Faadil Esack and his wife Shurnelle Baksh, from Plumptre Street in Nottingham’s Lace Market, were tricked into buying a West Highland Terrier called Lacey from an online trader.
They didn’t realise how young and ill Lacey was because a forged passport was used by the trader to cover his tracks.
It is horrible to see her being so poorly
Faadil said: “Lacey is our first pet and we were very excited when we found her and took her home.
“We searched online and were happy with what we saw initially – we thought it was a reputable company but the videos were misleading.
“When we got Lacey home she became poorly and when we went to the vets, they said she was below the age of 22 weeks and therefore may have been vaccinated for rabies too early.
“She has been suffering and it is horrible to see her being so poorly. We are devastated at what has happened and want to warn others.”
Lacey was taken into quarantine for 21 days to check for rabies and other conditions and is now recovering at home.
The trader who sold the couple the puppy is being investigated by trading standards for suspected fraud.
- Anyone who suspects a puppy may have been illegally imported or has a forged pet passport can contact their local vet or Nottinghamshire County Council trading standards on 0345 4040 506.
