Unfair pet travel ban for inbound flights to U.K?

[vanical]

Currently the UK permits small pets to fly outbound in cabin but treats the cabin as a biosecurity threat solely for inbound journeys unlike other rabies-free island nations like Ireland and Malta. This makes no sense.
The primary argument from DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) has historically been that the UK's "rabies-free" status depends on strict entry controls.

The ban forces pet owners to endure arduous journeys—such as flying to Paris and taking a taxi across the Channel—which is unnecessary given that the same animals and paperwork are allowed on ferries, through the Eurotunnel, cars or on private planes into the U.K.. it makes no sense as these pets enter the U.K. anyway just not on a commercial flight.

For brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds like Pugs, Shih Tzus or French Bulldogs, the cargo hold isn't just stressful—it can be fatal due to temperature and air pressure sensitivity. For these owners, the current ban isn't an inconvenience; it's a total barrier to travel.

https://petition.parliament.uk/signatures/172276523/signed

Could you please help by signing this petition. It takes only a minute and would make such a huge difference if we were allowed to fly into the U.K. with our dogs in cabin instead of shoving them in cargo. Please share this petition with all the dog owners you know. 🙏

I can’t see why that’s a bad thing tbh and if anything, wish the land border controls were stricter. They are way too lax.

YABU

Why do you need to take a dog abroad?

If you have a dog that is so deformed it can’t fly in case it dies then don’t take it abroad . I can’t see any issue with the regulations as they are

Some people live between two countries.

If you’re away for a few weeks it might be easier to take the dog than get someone to look after them.

Etc

Yabu.

Why does your pet need to fly?

The only reason I would fly with our dog would be if we were emigrating, in which case we'd just have to jump through the required hoops to get him in the country.

Except guide dogs, are there any other reasons for bringing a pet on holiday?

OP, you’re being ridiculous. I’d far rather our country stays rabies-free, Since when did a dog have to go on holiday with its owners? As far as I’m aware, there are kennels, house-sitters and dog minders to take care of pampered pooches while their owners are abroad.

“For brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds like Pugs, Shih Tzus or French Bulldogs, the cargo hold isn't just stressful—it can be fatal due to temperature and air pressure sensitivity. For these owners, the current ban isn't an inconvenience; it's a total barrier to travel.”

TBF, they shouldn’t have bought these dogs in the first place when they have such severe limitations on their lives due to inbreeding.

I love dogs but unless they are assistance dogs they should travel in the hold, and all cats should, allergic to cats and had a very uncomfortable flight because there was a cat in a box in the cabin (I now for certain airlines tell them I’m allergic so the cabin will be cat free, no need for most European flights as they don’t allow pets in the cabin)

Poor things, no one should be breeding dogs knowing full well they’re causing abnormalities and suffering and no one should be encouraging it by buying them. Honestly I’m fine with pets in the hold. My cat has done a transatlantic round trip and whilst I’m sure he didn’t enjoy the experience he was absolutely fine.

I don't want to be sat next to a dog.

Me neither. I’m very allergic to dogs.
Isn’t there ANYWHERE left anymore where we don’t have to put up with the bloody things?

Easier for who? Not the dog, that’s for sure.

I’d much rather be sat next to a dog than the usual fat, sweaty, overly talkative men who hog the arm rest that I usually get stuck next to.

Nah. I am a pet owner but manage to avoid any problems by planning my life around my responsibilities.

Exactly. And where are they going to poo and wee?

of course it’s not a ‘total travel ban’, you’ve listed alternatives - ferry or channel tunnel - which seem much more suitable for a pet than stuffing it into a small carrier to go on a commercial flight.

I would be dismayed if our parliamentarians wasted their time on this.

Don’t get a dog that struggles to breathe.

In fact, maybe they should legislate to make breeding such animals illegal.

YABU. People do not need dogs in a cabin of an aeroplane. Can you imagine it. Barking, wee. A Rottweiler, or worse ?
Think of the staff and the safety of the plane. It is hard enough transporting the humans.

Hi, OP.

Just to let you know, we only allow petitions on our Petitions and Activism board, so we've moved your thread here now.