A Canterbury-based charity worker has spoken of the "sickening" conditions of the European puppy smuggling trade.

An undercover investigation by The Dogs Trust has revealed the magnitude of the illegal trade - which sees underage puppies and heavily pregnant bitches forced to travel more than 1,000 miles in "sickening" conditions to reach the UK.

Dogs Trust Canterbury is one of the rehoming centres that takes in illegally smuggled puppies seized at the UK border.

Centre manager Harriet Blaskett explained some of the shocking welfare conditions revealed by the Dogs Trust probe.

She said: "There is no regard for the lives of these vulnerable puppies, who are subjected to gruelling journeys of more than 30 hours in hot, cramped and filthy conditions with no toilet breaks and very little water.

"Some don’t survive the journey, and those who do may have physical health and behavioural issues due to their poor start in life.

"Puppy smugglers are only concerned with making a profit, and the UK provides an attractive market because the high demand for fashionable breeds converts into fast internet sales. Importers are exploiting the lack of visual checks being made at the borders, and insufficient penalties for illegally importing puppies mean there is no real deterrent for these abhorrent crimes.

"With Brexit around the corner this is an opportunity of a lifetime to put robust measures in place that protect dogs and the public.

"We urge the government to take forward our clear recommendations to overhaul our pet travel legislation and increase the penalties for those caught fuelling this despicable trade.”

The findings of the investigation have revealed loopholes in the Pet Travel Scheme, the rules of which changed in 2012 to allow puppies to enter the UK at a much younger age.

Dealers have allegedly exploited this opportunity, and the demand for popular breeds such as French Bulldogs, Pugs, Dachshunds and English Bulldogs has led to an influx of puppies smuggled into the UK often in appalling conditions, from Central and Eastern Europe.

Jo Stuckey, from Whitstable, has rehomed two French bulldogs from the Canterbury centre in Radfall Road, Whitstable - Gus last year and Gilly Bean this year.

Both dogs were illegally smuggled into the country after enduring a 1,600-mile long journey from Lithuania.

She said: "I have had four puppies in total from the rehoming centre that were rescued from puppy smugglers.

"Sadly one died, one almost died and two have needed surgery. Two have also needed behavioural support from Dogs Trust, and I’m so lucky to have that support available.

“I would encourage everyone to never, ever buy a puppy online but either head to a rescue centre or go to a reputable breeder.”

Dogs Trust is now asking members of the public to contact their MP via the Dogs Trust website to help put an end to the cruel puppy smuggling trade.

To find out more and to contact your MP, visit www.puppysmuggling.org.uk