Major animal welfare groups are sounding the alarm about the growing number of imported dogs coming into the UK, saying it raises serious health and behavioral issues. One of the UK’s biggest animal charities, the RSPCA, has asked for stricter rules for dog rescue groups. They want the government to make it necessary for rescue groups in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland to have licenses, just like they do in Scotland.

Right now, the system isn’t very regulated, and a lot of the dogs that come to the UK are sold on websites and social media sites without being properly checked out. Dogs that originate from Romania, Ukraine, and North Macedonia are brought to the UK, but there is no rigorous matching process to make sure they are good for UK homes.

What kinds of problems do dogs from other countries cause in the UK?

The new owners of the imported dogs usually get them right away, sometimes with just a quick phone call and a quick video check of the home. Experts say that not being ready for this is putting both the canines and their new owners in risky circumstances. Imported dogs are starting to have problems with both aggressive behavior and contagious diseases.

David Bowles, a spokeswoman for the RSPCA, compared the practice to “Deliveroo for dogs” and stressed how dangerous it is to move pets without first checking them out. He said that a lot of these animals are like “ticking time bombs,” since they could spread health problems to other pets or even to people. Here is the link to our article on Dog Attack Injuries

How are dogs that are brought in from other countries affecting health?

More and more people ardiseasesd about infectious problems in imported dogs. Brucella canis is an uncommon but hazardous disease that can be passed from dogs to people. It is one of the biggest threats. There have been more recorded incidences of this disease in the UK in the last few years. It spreads through a dog’s reproductive fluids.

Brucella canis makes people feel like they have the flu, but in certain circumstances, it can cause long-term health problems like joint discomfort or bone degeneration. In 2024, health officials looked at 333 possible cases of the disease. The RSPCA and other animal specialists are worried that the large number of imported canines is a big reason for this rise.

What problems do people who own imported dogs have?

A lot of people who own imported pets run into problems they weren’t ready for. For example, some dogs come with aggressive behavior that isn’t always mentioned before they are adopted. A puppy that Sian Keen adopted from Ukraine changed a lot in how it acted after she brought it home. Narla, the dog, became so hostile after being brought over that she attacked Sian and her 12-year-old son, forcing them to put her down.

A lot of individuals are questioning the present structure of internet rescue organizations because of the stress and unpredictability that come with adopting imported canines. If canines aren’t properly vetted or assessed in person, they might not be matched with the right owners, which might put both the dogs and the people involved in danger. Here is the link to our article on Dog Attack Warning

Is there a way to make the process better for dogs that come from other countries?

Veterinarians and animal welfare groups are among the experts who are pushing for changes to stop more problems with imported canines. They say that all rescue groups should be fully certified and controlled so that both animals and future owners are thoroughly checked out. Many rescue groups, like Forest Dog Rescue in Worcestershire, already have strong rules in place, like requiring potential adopters to meet the dog in person first and giving new owners a chance to cool off.

As more canines are brought into the UK from other countries, the lack of rules is becoming a bigger problem. Experts say that the risks of imported dogs will keep becoming worse if they aren’t properly watched, even if rescue groups usually have good intentions.

Final thoughts on the dangers of bringing in dogs

The UK is becoming more and more worried about the health of both people and animals when it comes to imported dogs. As more and more dogs are brought in from countries with different levels of animal care, it is important to make the rules stricter to make sure these animals are healthy and can live well in their new homes. If nothing changes in the current system, the hazards that come with bringing in imported dogs from other countries, such as spreading disease and having behavioral problems, would still put both the dogs and the people in the UK at risk.