Select Committee · Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

Pet welfare and abuse

Status: Closed Opened: 3 Feb 2023 Closed: 23 May 2024 16 recommendations 12 conclusions 1 report

This inquiry is considering the post-pandemic health and welfare concerns of companion animals, including abuse and mutilation. Read the call for evidence Our call for evidence closed on 14 April 2023.

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Second Report - Pet welfare and abuse HC 161 5 Apr 2024 28 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

1 item
21 Recommendation Second Report - Pet welfare and abuse Not Addressed

Illegally imported and rehomed stray dogs pose significant biosecurity risks for pets and humans.

The movement of illegally imported dogs into the UK, and the importation of stray dogs for rehoming, pose considerable biosecurity risks for both pets and humans. Diseases such as rabies, leishmaniasis and Brucella canis may be imported into the UK from abroad. Of particular concern is the rise in Brucella …

Government response. The Government acknowledges the biosecurity risks but states it will not make changes at this time, claiming it monitors disease risk carefully and will consider further actions as appropriate, guided by risk assessment, while recommending prospective owners test imported dogs.

Oral evidence sessions

5 sessions
Date Witnesses
28 Nov 2023 Marc Casale · Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, The Rt Hon Lord Benyon · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs View ↗
18 Oct 2023 David Martin · Featured Artists Coalition, Dr Lawrence Newport · Royal Holloway University of London, Dr Samantha Gaines · RSPCA, James McNally · Slee Blackwell Solicitors View ↗
17 Oct 2023 David Holdsworth · Animal and Plant Health Agency, Gavin Stedman · Heathrow Animal Reception Centre, John Keefe · Getlink (Eurotunnel), Nicola Hirst · Animal and Plant Health Agency, Steve Lawrie · Brittany Ferries, Tim Reardon · Port of Dover View ↗
5 Sep 2023 Alexandra Baker · Pet Industry Federation, Bill Lambert · The Kennel Club, Dr Gudrun Ravetz · Pets at Home, Dr Samantha Gaines · RSPCA, Marisa Heath · Local Government and Animal Welfare Group, Pip Griffin · Worcestershire Regulatory Services View ↗
4 Jul 2023 Becky Thwaites · Blue Cross, Dr Justine Shotton · British Veterinary Association, Dr Maggie Roberts · Cats Protection, Dr Melisa Donald · Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, Dr Paula Boyden · Dogs Trust, Dr Sean Wensley · PDSA, Jessica Stark · World Horse Welfare, Sarah Carr · Naturewatch Foundation View ↗

Correspondence

5 letters
DateDirectionTitle
30 Apr 2024 Correspondence from Lord Benyon regarding corrections to the Pet welfare and ab…
25 Apr 2024 Lord Douglas-Miller, Minister for Biosecurity, Animal Health and Welfare, regar…
14 Dec 2023 Correspondence to Rt Hon Lord Benyon MP regarding the Government’s ban on XL Bu…
18 Oct 2023 Correspondence from the Chief Veterinary Officer of Pets at Home following her …
29 Mar 2023 To cttee Letter from the Minister for Food, Farming and Fisheries to the Committee rega…