Overview
- Border Force officials discovered a German Shepherd hidden among migrants crossing the English Channel in a dinghy, marking a first for UK border operations.
- The dog is undergoing a mandatory 120-day quarantine at the Animal Inn in Deal, Kent, to prevent potential biosecurity risks like rabies.
- Discussions are ongoing about adopting the German Shepherd as an official Border Force dog due to its trainable breed characteristics.
- The dog's owner, an asylum seeker, is reportedly housed in a taxpayer-funded hotel, further fueling political criticism over immigration policies and associated costs.
- Opposition figures, including Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philip, have condemned the quarantine expenses as excessive, calling it an example of failed border control policies.