2024-03-24 07:23:30
Puppy smuggling balance 2023: 92 dogs and 26 cats freed from the possession of smugglers by customs officers
Vienna (OTS) – Last year, officials at the Austrian customs office freed a total of 92 dogs and 26 cats from the hands of smugglers. The majority of the animals were picked up during mobile checks. Most of the smuggled animals are puppies and kittens that are much too young.
“To accept immense animal suffering in order to profit from it shows a particular lack of responsibility towards defenseless creatures. These cases prove in a shocking way how important the work of local customs officials is not only to protect us humans, but also for animals. I am proud that our employees are doing such important work in the fight against animal smuggling to prevent animal suffering,” said Finance Minister Magnus Brunner.
While 90 dogs and 19 cats were caught in 2022, this number rose to 92 dogs and 26 cats in 2023.
A clear trend is also emerging with regard to smuggling routes: with 102 arrests in road traffic in 2022 and 114 arrests in 2023 there, a clear trend towards transport via cars and trucks can be seen. In contrast, five cases were discovered in air travel in 2022 and three cases in 2023.
What is striking is that in 97 cases in 2022 and in 110 cases in 2023, commercial benefit was the reason for smuggling. For “private use” there were only 12 cases in 2022 and only 8 cases in 2023. Forged or incorrect documents or incorrect vaccination status were also presented. In this way, the smugglers not only deceive the authorities and buyers, but also harm the animals and risk the spread of diseases.
Most of the apprehensions during mobile customs controls
The majority of the animals were picked up as part of mobile customs controls and mostly come from southeastern Europe. It is often young animals that are smuggled.
For animals from third countries, the border veterinary service must be called in, otherwise the official veterinarian if the required veterinary documents are not available or the animal is not marked with a microchip. This is to ensure that the animals are healthy and that the necessary vaccinations, especially against rabies, have been carried out.
Further measures are taken on the instructions of the border veterinarian or official veterinarian, who orders either a return to the importing country, quarantine or acceptance. In cases of acceptance, the animals are taken to an animal welfare facility where the animals are cared for, examined and, if necessary, vaccinated and chipped. This is particularly an issue with very young animals that are too young for vaccinations. Further treatment or surrender of the animals is then carried out by the animal welfare facility.
High fines for the perpetrators
If animals are smuggled from third countries, import duties are due. If there is smuggling under the Financial Crimes Act, it will be punished with an amount up to twice the amount of the tax due on the goods. If there is also a violation of the animal disease law or the veterinary import regulation, this is punishable as an administrative offense under the Animal Diseases Act with a penalty of up to 4,360 euros.
Offenses against the Animal Transport Act are also punished with 400 euros to 5,000 euros and, in the event of a repeat offense, up to 7,500 euros. Violations of the Animal Welfare Act must be punished by the authorities with a fine of up to 7,500 euros, and in repeated cases up to 15,000 euros. In total, very high penalties can quickly add up.
Questions & Contact:
Federal Ministry of Finance, Press Office
(+43 1) 514 33 501 031
[email protected]
Johannesgasse 5, 1010 Vienna
1711266899
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