Provide the following information regarding the number of smuggled dogs seized at UK borders:
The number of reports you have received, either from the public or anyone else, in relation to the suspected illegal importation of puppies? Please provide the figures for each year since January 2016, as well as the latest data you have for 2021.
The figures provided relate to the following services and areas covered : 2016 to May 2017- Devon and Somerset Trading Standards Service ; May 2017 to April 2021 – Devon, Somerset and Torbay Trading Standards Service ; April 2021 to 21.10.21 – Devon, Plymouth, Somerset and Torbay (The Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service )
| Calendar year | Reports received |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 4 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 (to 21/10/21) | 8 |
Please confirm how many of these reports have been investigated further. Please provide the figures for each year.
All the above reports were investigated. i.e. 35
Over the same period, broken down by year, a) how many puppies were seized by Trading Standards on suspicion that they were in breach of the Rabies Order 1974; and b) how many of these puppies were subsequently quarantined?
In some cases where risks are assessed to be low puppies are effectively quarantined or detained at home. Therefore, all seized puppies were quarantined
| Calendar year | Puppies Seized | Puppies quarantined | Puppies subject to home detainment |
| 2016 | 2 | 2 | |
| 2017 | 2 | 2 | |
| 2018 | 1 | 1 | |
| 2019 | 1 | 1 | |
| 2020 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 2021 (to 21/10/21) | 15 | 12 | 3 |
Over the same period, broken down by year, how many prosecutions has the Local Authority carried out in relation to illegally imported puppies under either a) the Rabies Order 1974 or b) The Non-Commercial Movement of Pet Animals Order 2011)?
None