Families hoping to buy a pet for Christmas have been warned against buying a smuggled puppy which could carry rabies.

A major crackdown on puppy smuggling is coming and people have been urged not to go near “unscrupulous traders”.

A new law will give the Government powers to ban the import of puppies and kittens aged under six months, as well as dogs and cats that are mutilated or heavily pregnant.

In the meantime, the chief veterinary officer has urged people to make “responsible choices” when buying a pet.

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is warning that smuggled puppies are “often kept in appalling conditions with long journey times” and it is concerned about the “potential transmission of zoonotic diseases such as rabies”.

People planning to welcome a pet into their household this Christmas are encouraged to “conduct thorough research” and “always avoid buying or rehoming a dog or cat without seeing it in person first”.

Christine Middlemiss, the chief veterinary officer, welcomed the Government’s decision to back the new law.

She said: “These measures will be an important next step to clamp down on puppy smuggling. Too many animals suffer at the hands of unscrupulous traders who keep animals in dreadful conditions with no regard for their welfare.

“Furthermore, there are risks with sourcing pets from abroad, including the potential import of diseases. I would urge people to make responsible choices when looking for a pet as this is something that will benefit you, your family and the animals you bring into your home.”

The Government says that by swinging behind draft legislation introduced by vet-turned-MP Danny Chambers this is the “first step” to meeting a pledge to “deliver the most ambitious animal welfare measures in a generation”.

Mr Chambers said the measures will protect public health as well because smuggled dogs can carry “terrifying diseases that affect humans”.

The plans have been welcomed by the Dogs Trust. It notes that previous attempts to change the law have failed but says it hopes that “this time will be different and we can finally end puppy smuggling”.