The Dogs Trust said people should be aware of the risks of buying dogs via online adverts.
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Pups covered in oil were rescued from van
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In the latest pup-smuggling bust, six young dogs were found covered in sticky oil in the back of a van at Dover port.
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The charity said demand for puppies has spiked during lockdown and it has rescued dozens of smuggled pups worth tens of thousands of pounds that were destined to be sold on to unsuspecting UK buyers.
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They had been illegally imported from Romania underage and after a journey that would have taken more than 24 hours despite the coronavirus lockdown restrictions in the UK preventing non-essential travel, the charity said.
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Paula Boyden, the Dogs Trusts veterinary director, said: It is absolutely heartbreaking that we continue to see dogs being illegally imported into the country, often in terrible conditions to make huge profits for cruel puppy smugglers.
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Sadly, its all too easy to be dogfished and it can be very difficult to know if you are buying a puppy that has been smuggled.