Number of dogs, cats from 3rd countries illegally sold on rise

An increasing number of dogs and cats arriving in Lithuania for shows, treatment, tourism or other purposes from third countries are illegally sold in the European Union, according to the Lithuanian Customs.

The Medininkai checkpoint on the border with Belarus alone recorded 1,950 cases of animals brought to Lithuania from third countries between January and September 2019. In 77 of these cases, the animals were turned back, it said.

Last week, several Russian citizens tried to transport 10 dogs without the necessary documents across the Lithuanian border, saying they were travelling to a dog show in Estonia.

"It is likely that the (Russian) women wanted to sell the dogs to EU nationals after the show in Estonia," the Customs said in a press release. "By the State Food and Veterinary Service's decision, the Russian citizens with the dogs were not allowed into Lithuania."