THE RSPCA received a total of 40 calls about suspected dog smuggling in Oxfordshire in 2017.

The figure is higher than many counties in England including Cornwall, Dorset, Bedfordshire and the Isle of Wight.

Overall the RSPCA received a total of 4,125 calls across England and said 2017 was its busiest ever year tackling the illegal dog trade.

The animal welfare charity released the figures yesterday as the Government announced a major crack down on illegal dog breeders.

The plans by DEFRA include ensuring licensed dog breeders show puppies alongside their mother before a sale is made; trying to cut down on online sales and regulating adverts on the internet.

Helen Moorey of Ashbury, near Wantage, was sent to prison in October this year for illegally importing sick border collie puppies from a farm in Ireland and passing them off as a home breed.

The 55-year-old was found guilty of five counts of fraud following a two-day trial at Reading Magistrates' Court and sentenced to eight weeks.

The court heard how Moorey sold the puppies claiming they were vet checked, de-flead and wormed.

Members of the public who bought the puppies were left with animals that were often extremely ill, not vet checked and required urgent medical care.

Speaking about the government's new plans, RSPCA interim chief executive Michael Ward said: "This is good news for the hundreds of thousands of dogs bought and sold in England every year.

“We welcome moves to stop the illegal smuggling of puppies which is a vile trade resulting in the suffering and death of countless dogs.”