1000s of Bosnian street dogs are dying in an animal welfare crisis as DEFRA refuse to confirm essential transport papers meet post-Brexit rules.

Since leaving the EU, the UK require Bosnia and other third listed countries outside of the Euro-Zone to create a Health Certificate which acts like a passport for dogs to legally enter the UK.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) posted a health entry certificate on the UK Government website for third listed countries to copy and adjust. Bosnian authorities did so and sent a bi-lingual version to APHA last month.

Since then, APHA has failed to reassure the Bosnian authorities this will be acceptable on entry to the UK. This has caused the lifesaving work of animal charities and rescue groups to a grind to a halt.

Until the Bosnian authorities receive an APHA agreement on the draft, no rescue dogs can leave for fear they will be refused entry. Bosnian officials will not produce the form which replaces the Bosnian pet passport and will not allow registered vets to download the UK template without their authorisation.

This is a time critical issue and if not resolved quickly the rescued dogs will be put into kill shelters on mass where they will be destroyed inhumanely. No rescue dog has been able to leave Bosnia since December 31.

Balkans countries have a poor track record on animal welfare and dogs are treated as vermin, poisoned, maimed, hunted and left to starve to death in public shelters. UK animal charities and rescue groups have been pleading with APHA to acknowledge the Bosnian version would be acceptable.

APHA is refusing to get involved to resolve the situation saying it is beyond its jurisdiction, condemning thousands of dogs to death. Hundreds of prepared, quarantined dogs reserved for adoption are now stuck and the numbers are rising by the week causing a backlog of others to be crammed into overcrowded public shelters.

Now rescue groups are calling on DEFRA to do the right thing and prevent unnecessary suffering and loss of life.

Gillian Daghistani, head of registered charity Wolfie’s Legacy for Disabled Dogs, said: “All we need is for APHA to acknowledge the draft certificate which has been adapted for Bi-lingual use in Bosnia would be accepted at the border with the UK, but getting a straightforward response has been impossible.

“Their lack of action has already condemned countless dogs to death in recent weeks. It is a totally avoidable stalemate causing a mounting animal welfare crisis. The Bosnian authorities are trying to get the paperwork right. It is heartbreaking.”