Fewer dogs are being smuggled – "pandemic effect" over

The desire for one's own dog has decreased and it is leaving a mark on dog smuggling to Sweden, which has drastically decreased compared to the pandemic years.

» Updated: July 16 2024

» Published: July 02 2024

Fewer dogs are being smuggled – "pandemic effect" over
Photo: Polisen

The demand for own dogs has decreased and it is leaving a mark on dog smuggling to Sweden, which has drastically decreased compared to the pandemic years.

It's a bit like it has ebbed out, says Martin Petersson, expert at the Customs Agency, to TT.

It started to increase towards the end of the first pandemic year, 2020. Then the number of detected dog smuggling cases increased during both 2021 and 2022, which became a peak year.

Everything is about demand, states Martin Petersson.

These years with restrictions made people want to have company at home, when people were sitting at home and working, and that effect has ceased.

188 dogs this year

So far this year, until the end of June, 188 smuggled dogs have been found by the customs. During the peak year 2022, a total of 552 were found.

We think from the kennel club's side that it's quite good that the demand has decreased, says Janina Pfalzer, press officer at the Swedish Kennel Club, to P4 Kristianstad.

Besides smuggling from other countries, high demand also leads to irresponsible breeding within the country, which she calls "kitchen breeding".

The dogs that are smuggled to Sweden are often small companion dogs bred in Central Europe.

When smugglers are exposed, it is often due to how they behave when meeting customs officials.

It's often very difficult for people to hide stress symptoms, i.e. getting stressed when talking to an authority figure. Increased pulse, sweating, and bad stories – it's often such things we go further on, says Martin Petersson.

Rejection more common

It is then up to veterinarians to decide what to do with the dogs that have been found. According to Martin Petersson, it has become more common for the dogs to be rejected from the country, instead of veterinarians making decisions about euthanasia.

It can lead to the smugglers making a new attempt later, he states.

The Öresund Bridge and Helsingborg are practical examples of this. We have several cases where they have been rejected at the Öresund Bridge and then come up in Helsingborg an hour later instead.

Stopping dog smuggling through customs controls is, according to the Customs Agency, not possible.

Sometime in the future, maybe we'll succeed, but the demand must decrease, says Martin Petersson.

Tags

TTT
By TT - Translated and adapted by Sweden Herald

More news

Paraglider Crash in Åre Leaves
1 MIN READ

Paraglider Crash in Åre Leaves Man Injured

New Rules for Farm Sales
3 MIN READ

New Rules for Farm Sales Spark Criticism Over Hangover Threat

Body Found in Burnt-Out Rental
1 MIN READ

Body Found in Burnt-Out Rental Car in Northern Stockholm

West Coast Beaches See Surge
1 MIN READ

West Coast Beaches See Surge in Plastic Bottle Caps Despite EU Law

Genre image
3 MIN READ

Most Swedish Teens Consume Too Much Sugar, Experts Warn

Two Arrested in Klippan for
1 MIN READ

Two Arrested in Klippan for Suspected Explosive Goods Crime

Man Found Dead in Jämtland;
1 MIN READ

Man Found Dead in Jämtland; Police Investigate Suspected Murder

Man Arrested for Attempted Murder
1 MIN READ

Man Arrested for Attempted Murder of Ex-Wife in Sollentuna

Teen Boys Hospitalized After A-Tractor
1 MIN READ

Teen Boys Hospitalized After A-Tractor Collision in Blekinge

Suspect Arrested in Stockholm for
1 MIN READ

Suspect Arrested in Stockholm for Alleged Crime Preparation

Two Detained in Gothenburg Double
1 MIN READ

Two Detained in Gothenburg Double Murder Investigation

Suspect Detained After Explosions Rock
1 MIN READ

Suspect Detained After Explosions Rock Trollhättan

Sweden's Cardinal Arborelius: A Humble
5 MIN READ

Sweden's Cardinal Arborelius: A Humble Voice in Catholic Leadership

Human Remains Discovered in Freezer,
1 MIN READ

Human Remains Discovered in Freezer, Suspect Detained in Sweden

Climate Activists Allegedly Fly Drones
1 MIN READ

Climate Activists Allegedly Fly Drones at Landvetter Airport

Fredrick Federley Enters Church Election
1 MIN READ

Fredrick Federley Enters Church Election in Västerås Diocese

Chocolate's Shelf Life: Why It
3 MIN READ

Chocolate's Shelf Life: Why It Lasts Longer Than You Think

Proposal to Rename Arlanda Airport
1 MIN READ

Proposal to Rename Arlanda Airport to Alfred Nobel Airport Gains Support

Man Arrested in Connection with
1 MIN READ

Man Arrested in Connection with Suspected Rape at Stockholm Nightclub

Stem Cell Trials Offer New
2 MIN READ

Stem Cell Trials Offer New Hope for Advanced Parkinson's Treatment

Fire Destroys Barn, 30 Animals
1 MIN READ

Fire Destroys Barn, 30 Animals Lost; 170 Rescued Nearby

Police Nationwide to Tackle Sugar
1 MIN READ

Police Nationwide to Tackle Sugar Dating with New Proactive Measures

Explosion in Central Stockholm Damages
1 MIN READ

Explosion in Central Stockholm Damages Building, No Injuries Reported

Explosion Damages Malmö Apartment Door,
1 MIN READ

Explosion Damages Malmö Apartment Door, No Injuries Reported

Teen Receives Medical Attention After
1 MIN READ

Teen Receives Medical Attention After Dog Bite in Linköping

Woman Convicted for Cracking Egg
1 MIN READ

Woman Convicted for Cracking Egg on Daughter's Head in Live Stream

Man Fined for Explosion Caused
1 MIN READ

Man Fined for Explosion Caused by Attempt to Deep-Fry Chili Cheese

Fire at Gothenburg Refinery Injures
1 MIN READ

Fire at Gothenburg Refinery Injures Three, One Seriously

Climate Activists Arrested on Malmö
1 MIN READ

Climate Activists Arrested on Malmö Airport Runway

Passengers Evacuated from Arlanda Express
1 MIN READ

Passengers Evacuated from Arlanda Express After Three-Hour Delay

Extreme Weather and Viruses Threaten
2 MIN READ

Extreme Weather and Viruses Threaten Global Blood Donation Supply

Riders and Horses Rescued from
1 MIN READ

Riders and Horses Rescued from Bog Near Karlstad Airport

Five Rescued from Burning Fishing
1 MIN READ

Five Rescued from Burning Fishing Boat Near Strömstad

Avalanche Risk High in Swedish
1 MIN READ

Avalanche Risk High in Swedish Mountains: Stay Clear of Steep Slopes

Understanding April's Unpredictable Weather: Insights
2 MIN READ

Understanding April's Unpredictable Weather: Insights from a Meteorologist

Sweden Boosts Egg Exports as
3 MIN READ

Sweden Boosts Egg Exports as Bird Flu Hits Global Supply