A WREXHAM MP has given her backing to a campaign by the Dogs Trust that calls on the Government to take action to stop puppy smuggling.

After meeting with animal welfare campaigners in Parliament, Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones said: "The problem of puppy smuggling has increased massively since the non-commercial Pet Travel Scheme was introduced in 2012.

"Beforehand a puppy had to be 10 months old before they could get into the UK, now it's legal for puppies as young as 15 weeks to get pet passports and travel here.

"Criminals have abused this rule change to bring young puppies into the UK and sell them illegally. I'm all for pet passports so that families can take their much-loved dogs on holiday with them, but the law as it stands is much too lax.

"We need it to be tougher to sort out the criminal gangs who are abusing the system."

The Dogs Trust is producing a list of supportive MPs and will present this to 10 Downing Street before holding talks with Government Ministers.

Dogs Trust Veterinary Director Paula Boyden said: "Our investigations have discovered puppies being transported with other luggage, puppies being given water twice in 30 hours in temperatures of 25 degrees and not being fed or given toilet breaks at all.

"We also discovered vets willing to provide sedatives to keep puppies quiet, allowing them to be smuggled into the country. It's been four years since we first highlighted the plight of puppies being forced to travel in despicable conditions. How many more have to suffer before simple solutions are put in place?"