Dogs Trust urges PM to act on mutilated dogs
It is illegal to crop a dog's ears in the UK, but imports of dogs with cropped ears are currently still allowed.
Dogs Trust has made a direct appeal to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to fulfil the Conservative’s election promise and finally ban imports of dogs with mutilations such as cropped ears.
It is already illegal to crop a dog’s ears in the UK and EU countries, but it is not illegal to import or sell dogs with cropped ears, creating a loophole which can be exploited by dealers.
The Conservative Party promised to introduce a ban as part of its 2019 election manifesto. Legislation was introduced as part of the Kept Animals Bill, which would also help prevent young puppies and pregnant dogs from being illegally imported. However, progress on the bill has been slow and it has been stuck in Parliament since November 2021.
In response to the continued lack of progress, Paula Boyden, Dogs Trust veterinary director, has made a public plea to the Prime Minister: “The Kept Animals Bill would help to protect countless dogs from horrific mistreatment and has widespread public support and MP backing. So why, Prime Minister, has it not progressed since November 2021?
“While the Government delays, countless dogs, including imported dogs with cropped ears and illegally smuggled puppies and heavily pregnant mums, continue to suffer at the hands of unscrupulous traders. We’ve waited long enough.”
Dogs Trust is encouraging its supporters to email the Prime Minister and urge him to push the bill through and finally ban cropped-ear dogs from being imported into the UK.
“We’re asking our dog-loving nation to stand with us. Email the Prime Minister today - and demand that his Government delivers on its manifesto commitment to end the needless suffering of puppies and dogs.”
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
