Assembly approval to progress a ban on mutilation of cats and dogs

Minister Muir said this ‘marks a significant moment on our journey towards increasing animal welfare protections for pets.’

He made the comments as the Northern Ireland Assembly provided approval for a Legislative Consent Motion (LCM) to extend powers contained in the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill to Northern Ireland.

This Bill, which is currently progressing through the UK Parliament, will give DAERA the scope to introduce new rules to restrict the import of cats and dogs which have been subject to painful practices like de-clawing or ear cropping.

Welcoming Assembly approval of the LCM, Minister Muir said: “I am committed to ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare and creating a safe environment for all pets. I welcome this approval by the Assembly which marks a significant step forward in protecting companion animals from cruel and inhumane practices.”

While it has been against the law to mutilate any animal for cosmetic reasons in Northern Ireland since 2011, it is not illegal to buy a cat or a dog from another country where these practices are still permitted or tolerated.

‘No animal should be subjected to mutilations for aesthetic reasons. Ear cropping or tail docking are intensely painful procedures, carried out at a young age and deliver no health or welfare benefits.

‘Gaining consent provides my Department with the ability to close any remaining loopholes in our law and it sends a message that these inhumane practices have no place in our society.’