A PURFLEET woman who admitted smuggling six puppies into the country and selling them, has been fined and ordered to pay costs totalling £4,600.
Barbara Marzec, 43, of Rapier Close, pleaded guilty when she appeared at Basildon Crown Court on Friday (2 October). She appeared before Judge HHJ Black who reconvened his court as a Magistrate’s Court using delegated powers and sat as a District Judge.
The court heard that on 24 September last year, Thurrock Council’s trading standards received an alert about a Labrador puppy which had been bought from the defendant.
The puppy had been taken to a vet who was concerned about its age. The dog was put into quarantine.
Council officers visited the home in Purfleet accompanied by a vet who also expressed concern about the legitimacy of the dogs’ passports.
The three puppies there were also quarantined due to the risk they may have been carrying rabies. While in quarantine they were all vaccinated and treated for other ailments.
Another puppy was traced to this litter by another vet in London who again had been alerted by the age of the animal she had examined. This puppy was also quarantined.
Despite a wide-ranging search, the council has not been able to trace the remaining puppy from this litter.
The case cost Thurrock Council approximately £3,000 in quarantine and vets fees. The two people who had bought puppies have also had to pay approximately £800 in quarantine fees.
Marzec was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £3,500 in costs to Thurrock Council towards quarantine and court costs. She was also ordered to pay £100 statutory surcharge.
Thurrock Council’s portfolio holder for public protection, Cllr Jane Pothecary, said on Friday: “We are all aware of the dangers of smuggling animals into the country. Rabies is a dreadful disease and Britain’s quarantine laws are there to keep it out.
“People buying puppies should always make sure the breeder is well-established, the animals’ veterinarian histories are available, and their documentation correct and complete.”
Puppies imported to the UK must be micro-chipped, vaccinated against rabies and have an EU pet passport. The animal must be at least 12 weeks old before it is vaccinated and then must wait a further 21 days before entering the UK (the protection does not work until then).
If people are offered an imported puppy that appears to be younger than 15 weeks, then it is very likely to have been imported illegally.
If there are any concerns about the condition of an animal or the documentation it is being sold with, seek advice from your local vet or contact Thurrock Council’s team on via Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 040506
