Sutton MPs urged to back puppy smuggling bill

Liberal Democrats are demanding that Sutton’s two Conservative MPs back a bill to end puppy smuggling in the UK. 

Last month, the Government broke their manifesto promise by dropping their puppy smuggling bill. This sparked outrage amongst animal welfare groups.

Sutton Liberal Democrats have criticised the move, accusing the government of breaking another manifesto pledge, turning their back on puppies and allowing traffickers to exploit the pet market. 

Liberal Democrat MP Tim Farron has now re-tabled the Government puppy smuggling bill and called on Conservative MPs to keep their promise. The Bill seeks to prevent and punish the theft of dogs below a certain age and deter the unlawful importation of certain animals, including dogs, cats and ferrets. 

Bobby Dean, Liberal Democrat MP candidate for Carshalton & Wallington, said: 

“Sutton is full of animal lovers and we must do everything we can to ensure the safety of our family pets.

“The Conservative party promised to deliver this Bill in their election manifesto, and the Government even drafted the wording of the new law, so Sutton’s two Conservative MPs should have no problems backing it. They cannot break this promise to protect animals from cruel smuggling gangs. 

“The Liberal Democrats want to see greater protections for puppies, with criminals who target beloved pets handed harsher punishments.”

In addition to tabling the Bill, the Liberal Democrats have launched an online campaign and petition to end puppy smuggling and is urging pet owners and residents of Sutton borough to sign. The petition can be found at www.libdems.org.uk/puppy.