1 in 3 Scotland vets report seeing illegally imported puppies last year

BVA CALLS ON GOVERNMENT TO ACT

More than 30 percent (around 1 in 3) small animal vets in Scotland saw puppies they believe to have been imported illegally into the country in the last year, according to the British Veterinary Association (BVA).

With increased concerns around the risk to public health from imported diseases such as rabies, BVA calls on the UK Government to urgently put a stop to unlawful puppy smuggling by progressing the Animal Welfare (Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill through Parliament and into law without any further delay.  

The call comes on the heels of a roundtable in Parliament, hosted by vet and MP Danny Chambers to highlight the potential impact of this legislation, which would introduce crucial measures to clamp down on puppy smuggling, ban the import of pets with illegal mutilations like cropped ears, and secure public health by preventing diseases such as rabies from being imported into the country.   

The Bill, which passed its second reading in the Commons in November, has been awaiting a date for the committee stage since then.  

Data from BVA’s Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey revealed that French bulldog puppies were by far the most common breed vets across the UK reported concerns about, with just under half (48%) of vets who had seen suspicious puppies referring to this breed. 

The biggest source of suspicion that these dogs may have been imported illegally was the client’s explanation of how or where the puppy was acquired (79% of vets said this). Half of vets who had seen illegal pups (52%) suspected they had been imported illegally because the puppies were too young to have been imported but they had been told they came from abroad.

A third of vets (33%) had suspicions because they found foreign microchips in puppies that were too young to have been imported legally, and a similar proportion (30%) had seen puppies whose age didn’t match the information on the passport.  

British Veterinary Association President Dr. Elizabeth Mullineaux said: “These new figures from our members who work in small animal practice show that puppy smugglers are continuing to use unscrupulous methods to bring puppies into the country and duping new owners into buying sick or poorly socialised pets.  

“Illegally imported puppies have often been poorly bred, without the correct vaccinations or necessary health checks needed, which can result in life-threatening illnesses for the pups and heartache for their new owners. 

“In the last few years, we have seen measures to stop puppy smuggling come close to becoming law but disappointingly failing to cross the line. We’re urging Government to progress vet and MP Danny Chambers’ Bill, which has broad support from vets, animal welfare charities, parliamentarians and the general public, into law in this parliamentary session.” 

BVA is calling on the public and its members to write to their local MP, urging them to support the Bill at every opportunity.  

The template letter and more information about BVA’s campaign against puppy smuggling is available at: https://www.bva.co.uk/take-action/pet-imports/  

Greeting Card Association awaits government response as its Royal Mail petition surpasses 10,000 signatures

  • The Greeting Card Association-backed petition calling for MPs to scrutinise changes to the postal service has reached 10,000 signatures – crossing the threshold which mandates a response from government.
  • Milestone reached as Ofcom consultation deadline on reforms looms and Royal Mail raises stamp prices again on Monday 7 April

The Greeting Card Association’s campaign to keep the Royal Mail service reliable, national and affordable, has received a significant boost as its parliamentary petition reached 10,000 signatures.

Despite Royal Mail’s claims that it should be allowed to reduce second class postal deliveries to as few as two days per week and cut Saturday deliveries altogether, over 10,000 UK voters have now joined the GCA’s call for proper parliamentary scrutiny of any proposed changes.

This petition, which also calls on MPs to regulate the price of first-class mail and mandate the Royal Mail meet existing delivery targets before changing the Universal Service Obligation (USO), now must receive a formal response from the government.

And the crossing of the 10,000-signature threshold is timely – the Royal Mail’s regulator Ofcom is currently consulting on those proposed changes setting a 10 April deadline for responses but has made it clear it can make changes to the USO without any involvement from MPs[1].

That’s why the GCA has also today stepped up its social media campaign with a new hard-hitting series of posts at https://www.instagram.com/share/p/BAWEWRMpDm.

The posts highlight the concern caused by the current uncertainty over Royal Mail’s ownership and the threat to the price and reliability of the postal service if they are allowed to dilute the service.

Royal Mail has failed to meet delivery commitments outlined in the current USO since 2022 but has consistently raised prices.  A first-class stamp is now 75 per cent more expensive than three years ago offsetting the £15m-plus fines levied by Ofcom on Royal Mail for missed delivery targets.

The cost of a first-class stamp price is up a staggering 170 per cent over the last decade, and the price rise that takes effect on Monday (7 April) when the price rises to £1.70, will be the sixth in under three years.

GCA members believe the proposed weaking of the USO will lead small businesses and consumers to rely on an increasingly unaffordable, uncapped and unregulated first-class service to ensure cards and important letters are delivered on time.

The GCA, which represents over 500 publishers, retailers, agents, specialist suppliers and distributors that make up an industry worth over £1.5bn to the UK economy now awaits the government’s official response to its petition.

Amanda Fergusson, chief executive of the GCA said: “Our members are deeply concerned that they’re being railroaded into accepting reforms that will make the Royal Mail service they depend on, less reliable and affordable.

“We now look forward to receiving a formal government response to their petition.

“We know a postal service that’s a mere shadow of the service Royal Mail should be delivering, will cause real damage to small businesses, consumers, high streets and communities.”

Petition

The petition can be accessed at https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/701850 or via the QR Code.

It calls on the Government to amend legislation to require parliamentary scrutiny of any change to the Royal Mail’s Universal Service Obligation (USO).

It also asks the government to insist any changes to the USO are dependent on:

  • Royal Mail meeting existing performance delivery targets for letters and cards
  • New regulation for the price of first-class mail to avoid further above-inflation rises and
  • Royal Mail maintaining a national, affordable, and reliable postal service that supports high streets and communities across the UK.

Appeal to trace Edinburgh man reported missing 

*** UPDATE: SEAN HAS BEEN FOUND ***

POLICE are asking for the help of the public to trace a 26-year-old man reported missing from Edinburgh.

Sean Scott was last seen around 5am on Saturday, 5 April, in the Niddrie area and concerns are growing for his welfare.

He is described as white, around 5ft 5ins, of medium build with a shaved head. He is believed to be wearing a blue jacket.

Inspector Richard Homewood said: “We want to make sure Sean is safe and well. He is known to travel around Edinburgh and also to Musselburgh. We are asking people to look out for him.

“Anyone who has seen Sean or who knows where he might be is asked to contact police as soon as possible.”

If you can help please call Police Scotland on 101, quoting reference number 0792 of Saturday, 5 April, 2025.

Internal Market Act ‘must be repealed’

Deputy First Minister urges UK Government to restore Scottish Parliament’s full powers

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes has urged the UK Government to “restore the democratic voice of the Scottish Parliament” by repealing the Internal Market Act and providing full restoration of powers that were removed by the previous UK administration. 

A Scottish Government Position Paper on the Internal Market Act 2020 published today says the Act should be repealed and replaced with a system built around the Common Frameworks approach and agreed by all devolved administrations and the UK Government.

Two votes in the Scottish Parliament, in October 2023 and February 2025, have called for the full restoration of the powers of the Scottish Parliament but have been ignored.

The new paper comes as the consultation period for the UK Government’s statutory review of the Internal Market Act concludes. The UK Government specifically ruled out repealing the Act before its consultation began. 

Ms Forbes said: “The Scottish Government’s position is clear, we must see the full restoration of the powers of the Scottish Parliament. The Internal Market Act should be repealed and the UK Government must work with the devolved governments to deliver an agreed and workable alternative.

“The Act was imposed by the previous UK Government without the consent of any devolved legislature. It remains the single greatest impediment to more effective and respectful intergovernmental relations.

“Neither the Scottish Parliament nor any of the other devolved legislatures gave their consent to the Act. It has introduced radical uncertainty as to the effect of devolved laws, effectively introducing a far-reaching and unpredictable new constraint on the powers of the Scottish Parliament.

“It also provides UK Ministers with an open-ended power effectively to nullify laws passed by a democratically elected – and accountable – legislature.

“It is deeply regrettable that the UK Government explicitly ruled out repealing the Internal Market Act before it began the review process and consultation but this new paper offers them an opportunity to work with the Scottish Government to restore the democratic voice of the Scottish Parliament.”

Scottish Government Position Paper on the Internal Market Act 2020

Pipe band returns to New York Tartan Day parade

The world-famous parade celebrating the USA’s links with Scotland will feature Fettes College’s pipe band for the first time in a generation.

28 members of the pipe band and their instructors will be performing in New York’s annual Tartan Day parade on 5 April along Sixth Avenue. Old Fettesians (OFs) living in the city have also been invited to join them, together with others from the Fettes community making the journey to New York.

The pipers and drummers taking part in the parade are aged between 13 and 18. They are members of the Fettes College pipe band which is made up of students across its senior and prep schools and currently holds the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships Junior A Trophy.

Cameron Drummond, Master in Charge of Piping and Drumming at Fettes College, said: “Each year our pipe band performs in a number of prestigious locations including Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace and it is a great honour for our band to also perform in New York and showcase Scotland’s musical heritage.

“We have been practising tirelessly, so we’re all set for this once-in-a-lifetime experience for our students.”

Helen Harrison, Head of Fettes College, who is in New York with the Pipe Band, said: “Fettes has a strong tradition of piping and drumming, and the Fettes pipe band’s performance at Tartan Day highlights their skills and dedication. 

“It will be a special moment to join the students in the parade, and a great opportunity for the Fettes community to show its support. Fettes is a proudly Scottish school that brings together international perspectives, empowering our students to be successful on a global platform.”

The students will be playing a set of well-loved US tunes, including America the Beautiful, The Marines Hymn and When the Saints go Marching In. Prior to the parade, the pipe band will perform for OFs and others in Bryant Park.

Last year Fettes became the only school in the world to have two piping instructors that took part in the prestigious Glenfiddich Piping Championships.

To find out more about Piping and Drumming at Fettes College visit:

fettes.com/senior-school/piping-drumming

Police information: Filming and photography in public places

Police Scotland is aware of concerns being shared on social media about filming around playparks.

We have charged two men in connection with an alleged breach of the peace in Paisley.

In an unconnected incident, a man has been charged in connection with an alleged breach of the peace following concerns raised in Rutherglen.

Officers have also investigated a small number of unconnected reports of filming, these have been found to be parents filming their own children or other individuals who were not filming children and no criminality was established.

Police Scotland takes reports seriously and will investigate any matters reported to us.

Assistant Chief Constable Catriona Paton said: “Given concerns about filming, I would ask people to remind anyone videoing or photographing in public to respect those around them.

“Police officers balance the rights of people to film with the potential to cause fear or alarm and make decisions based on individual circumstances.

“I would encourage responsible use of social media and ask people not to share speculation or inaccurate information. Please think twice about what you read, share and believe from online sources.

“It is not illegal to take photographs or video footage in public places unless it is for criminal purposes.”

Exhibition honouring pioneering female surgeons unveiled

New artwork commissioned by Royal Medical College will celebrate contributions of women in surgery

A painting commemorating the contributions of female surgeons has been unveiled at Surgeons’ Hall Museums in Edinburgh, marking a significant step forward in increasing the representation of women held in the collections there.

The painting, titled ‘Eleven Surgeons’, by Scotland-based artist Kirstin Mackinnon, represents the namesakes and recipients of the Hunter-Doig medal.

This prestigious award is named after pioneering female surgeons Alice Hunter (1880s-1973) and Caroline Doig (1938-2019), and has been awarded to nine exceptional female surgeons to date – all of whom are still practicing – for excellence within the surgical profession.

Surgeons’ Hall Museums, part of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, commissioned the painting as part of a wider initiative celebrating women’s contributions to surgery.

This includes a temporary exhibition, a permanent museum display, a programme of oral history collecting to secure the histories of living female surgeons, and an extensive programme of learning and engagement activities running throughout 2025–2026.

The composition of the large-scale, oil on canvas artwork includes portraits of Alice Hunter and Caroline Doig, as well as all nine Hunter-Doig medal recipients.

Louise Wilkie, Curator of Surgeons’ Hall Museums, said: “Currently only three out of the 144 portraits in the collections here feature women, and we’re dedicated to addressing this imbalance.

“We feel it is incredibly important to showcase the contributions of female surgeons throughout the years and hope this newest addition to the collection will demonstrate how the surgical profession has evolved. We hope by telling this story, to inspire the next generation of surgeons by paying tribute to those who have paved the way.”

Clare McNaught, Vice President of RCSEd, said: “Honouring and educating others about the women who have played a significant role in shaping the College as we know it today, and in championing the rights of women in the medical field, is something we feel very strongly about.”

Artist Kirstin Mackinnon’s acclaimed work has seen her achieve Semi-Finalist status in Sky Arts’ Portrait Artist of the Year and a three-year artist residency with Tighnabruaich Art Gallery. Her work notably focuses on gender equality in contemporary Scottish art.

Kirstin said:“’I am humbled to have been selected to paint such a historically significant commission.

“I recognise and acknowledge the efforts made by the college to promote equal representation for women. It was an honour to work with such inspirational surgeons and to play a part in celebrating their success.”

The commission is being funded by grants from Art Fund and The National Fund for Acquisitions, with generous support from The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh Membership and Community. The wider project is being supported by funding from Museums Galleries Scotland.  

The painting is on display in the temporary exhibition A Fair Field and No Favour at Surgeons’ Hall Museum from today – Saturday 5th April 2025 – to March 2026, before being relocated to the public reception atrium of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

For more information, visit: The Anatomy Lab.

New park opens within former Granton gasholder

A new public park officially opened in Edinburgh today as part of the £1.3bn regeneration of Granton Waterfront to become a new environmentally friendly coastal town. The Gasholder 1 Park sits within the completely restored gasholder with views over the Firth of Forth.

Council Leader Jane Meagher was joined by Minister for Employment and Investment Tom Arthur, representatives from the main contractor McLaughlin & Harvey, as well as volunteers from Granton Hub and members of Pianodrome, Scran Academy and Craigyroyston Youth Football Club to mark the opening of the park ahead of a family fun day and ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday 5 April.

A club member of the Craigroyston Youth Community Football Club will join the Council Leader to cut the ribbon and officially declare the park open for residents and visitors to enjoy for decades to come.

The entrance of the park is marked with large Hollywood style lettering making it more visible for local people and others visiting to enjoy its open green space and play equipment. It has six different zones including three play areas with a wide range of play equipment.

There is plenty of outdoor space to explore and an inner ring walk going round the outer edges of the frame with a range of places to sit and relax. An outdoor exhibition has also been created which showcases the history of Granton gasworks as well as the restoration process.  

The 1.2 hectare park, set within the restored iconic gasholder frame, was created using £1.2 million from the Scottish Government’s Vacant and Derelict Land Investment Programme. 

This work followed refurbishment of the frame as well as removal of the historic bell using funding from the UK Government.  The restored and repainted gasholder frame is also now a beacon of light in north Edinburgh as it is lit up permanently after dark.

 A new sculpture now also takes pride of place at the centre of the park, commissioned by the Council last year following input from the local community. Svetland Kondakova Muir designed the piece to portray one of the Firth of Forth’s most special visitors – the humpback whale – the recently completed artwork was put in place last week.

Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “The Gasholder 1 Park opening is a huge milestone reached for the £1.3bn Granton Waterfront project. It is really inspiring to look out over this important piece of coastal land for our Capital city and see these much needed homes and other facilities literally springing up out of the ground.

 “The new park is a fantastic addition for local communities and the hundreds of new tenants including families who have recently moved into the homes we have built for social and mid-market rent in the area.

“Many of these are on land immediately surrounding the new park and I’m delighted to say that many more homes are being planned or under construction which will be ready for hundreds of new tenants in the next few years.

 “The historic gasholder gives the new park a unique look and feel and it will also be seen for miles around as the restored frame is lit up after dark.

 “This exciting opening follows the restoration of the former Granton Station building and the new public square also created to provide a sense of place for the local community which opened to great fanfare in March 2023. 

“I’m delighted to cut the ribbon on Saturday to open this exciting new space for the local community as well as the thousands of other visitors I’m sure it will attract from Edinburgh and beyond in the years to come.”

 Investment Minister Tom Arthur said: “We have contributed £1.2 million towards transformation of Granton’s Gasholder from a derelict site to a vibrant and accessible space for people to enjoy. 

“This is part of wider efforts to regenerate the Granton area, including a recent project supported by the Scottish Government to transform derelict industrial units at Granton Waterfront into communal spaces. 

“To help communities thrive, we are providing £62.15 million towards regeneration in 2025-26. This will support projects which revitalise green spaces, town centres and derelict sites to benefit people across Scotland.”

UK Government Minister for Local Growth, Alex Norris, said:  “Having visited Granton earlier in the year, it is wonderful to see the new Gasholder 1 Park will be opening this week. This green space will really bring the community together, from young families to elderly residents and visitors to the City.  

 “The refurbishment of the derelict gas holder structure has provided a real beacon of light to Edinburgh, retaining its unique history and character, while wider transformation work is underway to Granton Waterfront.

“This is exactly the kind of collaboration and locally led growth we want to see all across Scotland and the UK in our mission to boost growth and renewal as part of our Plan for Change.”

Graham Brown, Senior Contracts Manager at McLaughlin & Harvey, said: “Gasholder 1 Park was a unique restoration project to deliver for the City of Edinburgh Council.

“In deconstructing the old bell, refurbishing the listed steel structure, and repainting the frame, we have solved complex engineering challenges.

“The ribbon cutting ceremony is a brilliant opportunity for McLaughlin & Harvey to celebrate the vast civil engineering experience of our team as well as the success achieved in our collaboration with our client and supply chain partners.”

The family fun day will include

  • Community singalong with Pianodrome at 11am
  • Ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11.15am with Council Leader Jane Meagher
  • Family arts and craft activities
  • Penalty shoot-outs with Craigroyston Community Youth Football Club
  • Free ice cream
  • Free face painting
  • Exhibition stalls

Police appeal following another deliberate fire in Niddrie

Detectives are appealing for information after a house was deliberately set on fire in Hay Drive in the early hours of this morning.

Around 1.20am on Friday, 4 April, 2025, officers were made aware of a fire, which also spread to a neighbouring property. Emergency services attended and the fire was extinguished.

There were no reports of any injuries but substantial damage has been caused to both properties.

Extensive enquiries are ongoing and from our investigations so far, officers believe this incident may be linked to the recent discharge of firearms and other fire-raising incidents in the city.

Detective Superintendent Paul Grainger said: “It is vital that we trace whoever is responsible for this reckless act as soon as possible.

“While we believe this was a targeted attack, the fire has spread to a neighbouring property and the consequences could have been far more serious.

“Our enquiries suggest this incident is linked to groups who are actively targeting each other but we understand this will be concerning for the local community.

“Please be assured we are working hard to trace those involved. Our action this week demonstrates our commitment to tackling this type of crime.”

A motorbike carrying 2 individuals was seen in the area around the time of the fire and officers are keen to anyone who may have seen this vehicle.

Detective Superintendent Grainger added: “We would urge anyone with information, or anyone with dash-cam, doorbell footage or personal footage, to review it and get in touch with officers.

“I am keen to hear from anyone who saw this motorbike in the area.

“Please think back – did you see this vehicle? Or did you see anything suspicious in the area around the time?

“If you have any information at all, please contact us.

“Plain-clothed and uniform officers will remain in the area while our investigations continue.

“Anyone with any concerns, or any information, can approach these officers.”

Two further arrests have been made after more warrants were executed this week in Edinburgh following this series of incidents.

On Thursday, 3 April, divisional officers from Edinburgh and the east of Scotland, supported by specialist resources from Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism and firearms officers, attended at five addresses across Edinburgh and Musselburgh.

A number of items relevant to the investigation, including weapons, were seized, along with drugs and cash.

Two men, aged 25 and 33, were arrested and charged with drugs offences. Reports will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal. A 38-year-old man was also reported to the Procurator Fiscal, and a 30-year-old man was given two recorded police warnings, for drugs offences.

Detectives, supported by firearms officers, also executed two additional firearms search warrants in the Leith area of Edinburgh this morning (Friday, 4 April). The activity was part of an ongoing investigation into the discharge of firearms and fire-raising incidents in the city last month.

So far officers have arrested six people in total, checked around 1600 vehicles and recovered eight which had been stolen. Around 2400 hours of CCTV footage are being examined and officers on patrol have delivered 500 leaflets in the community to reassure them.

Chief Superintendent David Robertson, Divisional Commander for Edinburgh, said: “These incidents could have had much more serious consequences and I want to make it clear this behaviour will not be tolerated.

“Significant enquiries are ongoing in relation to all of these incidents, and we are utilising all available resources to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.

“We will continue to carry out additional high-visibility patrols and disruption activity across the city and I would encourage anyone with any concerns to approach these officers, so we can take action.

“If anyone has information that can help with our enquiries then please contact us immediately.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 0562 of Friday, 21 March, 2025. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.

The Pipes are calling crowds to the Royal Highland Centre for the UK Pipe Band Championships

Prestigious competition to be hosted in Edinburgh for the first time

The UK’s finest pipe bands will quickstep to the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, this July for what promises to be a spectacular day of piping, drumming and traditional Scottish music fun for all the family.

Tickets are on sale now for the RSPBA (Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association) UK Pipe Band Championships, an event by the Royal Highland Centre, and will take place on Saturday 12th July. 

The event serves as both a showcase of musical talent and a celebration of cultural heritage and will thrill audiences with performances, workshops and world-class bands. 

Musicians of all ages will be taking part in the competition, and bands are encouraged to sign up https://rspba.org/admin/fees/

This is the first year that the UK Championships have taken place at the Royal Highland Centre, Scotland’s largest indoor and outdoor venue.  A family friendly event, children under five will go free and the event is dog friendly.

Plenty of delicious food and drink stalls will be on offer, to make it a full day out for everyone. Car parking is available, but we encourage those travelling locally to get the Tram or dedicated 98 Lothian Bus service.

Mark Currie, Director of Venue, Royal Highland Centre, said, “Whether you are a fan of Scottish culture, a musician or just looking for a great family day out, the UK Pipe Band Championships has something for everyone, and we are thrilled to be working in partnership with the RSPBA on this event for the first time.

“Royal Highland Centre has always been dedicated to providing a platform to homegrown organisations, like The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, for example, and so we couldn’t be prouder to be hosting their UK Championships.”

Colin Mulhern, Chief Executive of the RSPBA said, “This event is a celebration of the dedication and artistry of pipers and drummers from across the UK, and we look forward to welcoming bands and audiences from near and far to our new venue at the Royal Highland Centre. Tickets are on sale now!”

For more information and to purchase tickets please see here.