Belshaw Zoe, Packer Rowena M A
EviVet Evidence-Based Veterinary Consultancy, Nottingham NG2 5HY, UK.
Department of Clinical Science and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Herts AL9 7TA, UK.
Animals (Basel). 2025 Jul 25;15(15):2193. doi: 10.3390/ani15152193.
The number of puppies imported to the United Kingdom (UK) from the European Union (EU) is increasing, as are concerns about the legality, welfare and potential disease risks associated with their trade. This study aimed to use an online survey to collect questionnaire data from UK residents about their awareness and knowledge of EU Pet Passports, illegal puppy importation, and dog-borne exotic diseases and the risks they might pose to UK-resident dogs and people. Valid responses were collected from = 7184 UK residents, mainly current dog owners. We identified substantial knowledge gaps relating to EU Pet Passports, how puppies might be moved across Europe, and the legal age of importation. Awareness of exotic diseases was poor; knowledge about the risks they posed was even poorer, particularly in relation to dog-human transmission. With some respondents not even being confident that they had heard of rabies, there is substantial work to do to ensure that the UK canine and human populations remain safe in the face of significant welfare and exotic disease threats. These knowledge deficits may facilitate the burgeoning illegal trade in puppies across the EU. Legal change may be required to prevent consumers from unintentionally supporting poor welfare sources of puppies.
从欧盟（EU）进口到英国（UK）的幼犬数量在增加，人们对与幼犬贸易相关的合法性、福利及潜在疾病风险的担忧也在增加。本研究旨在通过在线调查收集英国居民关于其对欧盟宠物护照、非法幼犬进口以及犬类传播的外来疾病及其可能对英国居民的犬只和人类构成的风险的认识和了解的问卷数据。从7184名英国居民（主要是现任犬主）那里收集到了有效回复。我们发现，在欧盟宠物护照、幼犬如何在欧洲各地运输以及进口的合法年龄方面存在重大知识差距。对外来疾病的认识较差；对其构成的风险的了解更差，尤其是在犬类向人类传播方面。一些受访者甚至不确定自己是否听说过狂犬病，因此要做大量工作以确保面对重大福利和外来疾病威胁时，英国的犬类和人类群体保持安全。这些知识缺陷可能会助长欧盟范围内新兴的非法幼犬贸易。可能需要进行法律变革，以防止消费者无意中支持福利状况不佳的幼犬来源。
