Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 11th April 2023
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Dog show cancelled again over cropped ears concerns
Ear cropping is illegal in the UK.
The event had previously been cancelled in February after BBC investigation.

A dog show due to be held over the Easter weekend was cancelled at the last minute following concerns about the promotion of dogs with cropped ears.

Organised by the American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC) UK, Bully Festival 9 was due to be held on Saturday, 8 April at the Bowlers Exhibition Centre in Manchester. However, the venue decided on Thursday not to go ahead with the event.

A spokesperson for the Bowlers Exhibition Centre said: ”After careful consideration and extensive consultation with local authorities, police and the RSPCA we have come to a mutual decision to cancel this weekend's ABKC dog show due to take place at the centre on Saturday.”

It is the second time the show has been cancelled this year. In February, the Coventry Building Society Arena cancelled the event following an investigation into ear cropping by BBC Panorama and BBC Disclosure.

The documentary revealed that dogs with cropped ears were being awarded prizes at events run by ABKC UK. Ear cropping is illegal in England, but dogs with cropped ears can still be imported legally.

The Government has announced plans to ban imports of dogs with cropped ears as part of the Kept Animals Bill. However, the legislation is yet to be passed.

The RSPCA’s Dr Samantha Gaines said: “We are really pleased to hear that the American Bully Kennel Club’s Bully Festival 9 event has been cancelled by Bowlers Exhibition Centre. We raised our concerns with the centre and, after considering the impact of holding this event, they have listened and done the right thing. Cruel practices such as ear cropping should not be applauded.

“The BBC’s recent Panorama and Disclosure documentaries raised some really concerning questions about the welfare of many dogs being shown at these events - with the prominence of dogs with cropped ears a real worry for the RSPCA.

“The cropping of dogs’ ears should never be celebrated. It is a painful, unnecessary procedure that has been illegal in England since 2007. Sadly, despite this, too many people still think this is a desirable cosmetic trait and inflict this on dogs for no other reason than for the look.”

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise £100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.