TAXPAYERS are to fork out thousands of pounds to put up a DOG that crossed the Channel in a packed dinghy.
made the perilous trip with its illegal immigrant owner. The fiasco is believed to be the first time a canine has been picked up in this way.
The German Shepherd was taken ashore to spend at least four months in quarantine at taxpayers’ expense.
Discussions were under way about adopting the hound — whose breed is easily trained — as an official dog.
Butthere was also anger at what was seen as the latest border fiasco.
deputy leader said: “This country’s open borders policy is so porous even household are arriving.”;;
The dog was among 1,183 human arrivals on 20 dinghies since Saturday last week.
Thousands of pounds are now likely to be spent on the pet to prevent the spread of infectious diseases such as rabies.
Meanwhile, its owner is believed to be staying in a hotel for — also courtesy of theBritishtaxpayer.
Shadow Home Secretary said: “ have lost control of our borders.
“Their pledge to smash the lies in tatters.
“Since taking office, we have seen nearly 36,000 illegal arrivals and now even are making the crossing.
“The cost of quarantining this dog will run into thousands, all paid for by the British taxpayer.
“It is barking mad.”;;
In what is believed to be a first for Border Force, officials discovered the German Shepherd last week near the end of its perilous 21-mile trip at Dover, .
A source said: “Search and rescue teams are always prepared for the worst, often helping newborn , and elderly requiring wheelchairs.
“But they were astounded after finding a pet dog nestled among a group of migrants packed into an unsuitable inflatable in the Strait.
“It was a first.
“Border Force officials couldn’t believe their eyes but treated the animal with the same humanity they show any individual.
“The dog will now need to spend up to 120 days in quarantine.
“It’s unbelievable.
“No one truly knows where this animal has come from or its back story so every precaution has to be taken to protect the public.
“Vets will need to give it a full check-up with jabs and vaccinations to ensure it poses no risk before it can be allowed out of isolation.
“Asylum applications can take years so the pet may need months of further care in kennels until its owner is processed.”;;
This country’s open borders policy is so porous even household pets are arriving
Richard Tice
The dog is understood to have been taken to one of six Government-approved quarantine sites across the UK.
Kent’s only facility is The Animal Inn in Deal, five miles from Dover.
Dogs were heard barking there yesterday but a worker did not think the cross-canine was among them.
Its arrival coincided with the PM’s White Paper to “take back control”;; of UK borders.
A Government spokesman said: “The UK takes biosecurity very seriously.
“Where an animal comes from an unlisted country, it is placed in quarantine to prevent dangerous diseases like rabies coming into the country.
“We all want to see the end to that undermine our border security and put lives at risk.”;;
