Dog imports: from street life to the apartment - an animal welfare scandal?

Dog imports: from street life to the apartment - an animal welfare scandal?

In her observations, Fink often found that dogs from countries such as Greece, Bulgaria and Turkey, which are perceived as “street dogs”, mostly live a good life and have permanent caregivers. Contrary to the cliché, many of them are well looked after. Nevertheless, there is a worrying trend: Illegal dealers have discovered the market for these dogs and produce them under poor conditions, in order to then sell them as animal protection cases.

The illegal animal trade flourishes

The situation is tightened by the illegal trade in pets. According to [Tierschutzbund] (https://www.tierschutzbund.de/ueber-uns/aktuelles/presse/fresse/manden/illegaler-heimierhandel-blibt-grosses-tienschutz, according to the majority of dogs were. The number of unreported cases is considered high, and in the past ten years there has been a new case of illegal animal trade every day. Often the animals have to suffer from terrible conditions and have often been separated by their mother too early.

• 629 of the 731 confiscated animals in 2023 were dogs.
• Most illegally transported animals come mainly from Eastern European countries, especially Romania.
• animal shelters bear the costs for the care of these animals, which are an average of 25 euros per day.

The consequences of illegal trade put a lot of strain on the animal shelters, and the German animal welfare association urgently calls for improvements in the Animal Welfare Act, including a change in the law to regulate online trade with animals and an obligation to identify and register dogs and cats.

New animal protection law of the EU

Finally there is movement in the legal situation: The European Parliament has adopted a strict law for the benefit of dogs and cats in the EU. According to [Association Bureau] (https://www.verbandsbuero.de/neues-tienschutz-der-eu-strenge-regulations- against- and-fuer mandatory cable identification/), it includes minimum standards for breeders, improved traceability of animals and a ban on selling in animal actions.

With these measures, uncontrolled backyard breeding is to be ended and the abuse of animals is prevented. Breeders must now meet more demanding criteria, which may increase the quality in the industry. The focus is now on the traceability of all dogs and cats to better contain illegal trade. However, the animal welfare organizations urge it to further strengthen the identification for marking.

The number of illegally traded dogs could be in the hundred thousand area. Precise attention should be paid to dubious animal welfare associations, which are often only on the fast profit and often only offer puppies. Serious organizations, on the other hand, are actively involved and are committed to sustainable animal welfare projects, as the example of Bansko Street Dogs in Bulgaria shows.

It always becomes clear that adoptions and the origin of the dogs are of central importance. Fink recommends consciously choosing dogs from animal welfare projects instead of buying them from breeders. Everyone can make a contribution and help that the small fur noses will finally find a better life.