Dog owners and vets across the Towns are being asked to report illegally imported dogs as part of a new Trading Standards initiative.

The move comes after a rise in the number of puppies being bought across the country which have been illegally imported. Many also have fake documentation which deceives buyers.

There is also a problem with people visiting Europe and returning with a pet pooch, without a pet passport and knowledge of the rules and regulations of importing dogs.

In both cases, the puppies have not been vaccinated against rabies, or are too young to have their jabs.

Since the Trading Standards project launched at the beginning on August, one dog has been reported to Medway Council by a local vet and is now in quarantine. The dog, which came from Lithuania, will be fully vaccinated and monitored for three weeks, before returning to his owners if they pay £1,000. If they can’t or won’t pay, the dog may be destroyed.

Since May three other puppies have been confiscated, two were reunited with their owners but the other was so ill that vets had to put him down.

Cllr Jane Chitty, who oversees Trading Standards, said: “Our Trading Standards team is becoming increasingly concerned over the health risks to our community by the illegal importation of dogs.

“The team doesn’t want to have to take beloved pets away from families or see them have to pay extensive fees to get them back following quarantine. Many people have no idea they are breaking the law, and that is why we want to raise awareness.

“It is a serious criminal offence to illegally bring a dog into the UK, and I would urge anyone who suspects or is aware of an illegally imported dog in Medway to contact Trading Standards. It is great to see local vets supporting this initiative and I commend them for being diligent in reporting these types of cases to us.”

The UK has been rabies free for many years due to the strict import rules for animals which are designed to stop diseases like this, from entering the country.

To report an illegally important dog call 01634 333333.

For information on how to bring dogs from abroad into the UK legally visit www.gov.uk/take-pet-abroad.