Proposals would ban imports of dogs aged under six months, and those with cropped ears or docked tails
Puppies aged under six months could no longer be imported into the UK under tight new welfare standards proposed by the government.
The pushback against the “grim trade” of puppy smuggling will prevent puppies from being separated from their mothers too early, which puts them at increased risk of illness and death, said the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. They can currently be imported from 15 weeks old.