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Statistics suggest increase in dogs with cropped ears
61 per cent of vets believe they are seeing more dogs with cropped ears than ever before
Survey shows 61 per cent of vets see more of the illegal practice 

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has released shocking new statistics showing that more dogs with cropped ears are arriving in veterinary practices than ever before, suggesting a worrying trend of more dogs with illegally cropped ears in the UK.

The BVA Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey revealed that 58 per cent of small animal vets have seen more dogs with cropped ears in their practices in the last year, with 61 per cent of these vets believing that they are seeing more cropped dogs than ever before. The breed that was most commonly seen with cropped ears was the Doberman, followed by American bulldogs and cane corsos.

Whilst it is illegal to crop dogs' ears in the UK, there is a loophole in the law allowing the importation of dogs with cropped ears from other countries where it is legal, and it is not classified as a specific offence to send dogs abroad to have the procedure. 

In the Queen's Speech last month, measures were announced to close these loopholes, and after a petition calling for action on this issue, which gained over 100,000 signatures, the UK Government pledged to ban the import of cropped dogs. Spearheaded by the BVA and The FOAL Group, under the banners of #CutTheCrop and #FlopNotCrop, the petition will remain open for signatures until August 2021.

The Government debated the petition yesterday (7 June), and confirmed its commitment to the issue, promising to introduce secondary legislation to prevent the import of dogs with cropped ears.

BVA President James Russell said, “We are deeply concerned that vets have been seeing more dogs with cropped ears in their practices. Ear cropping is illegal in the UK so we have to question how it’s possible that 6 in 10 vets have seen cropped dogs in the past year. These shocking figures clearly show that urgent action is needed to curb this disturbing rise.”

“We were delighted by the commitment made by Government last month to prohibit imports of dogs with cropped ears as well as rooting out illegal practice of this completely unnecessary and intensely painful mutilation in the UK. We are now urging them to bring these measures into play at the earliest possible opportunity.”

 

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
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RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."