BVA calls for urgent action on import of cropped dogs

60% of vets seeing more dogs with cropped ears

A BVA-backed petition calling for a ban the import of dogs with cropped ears has been debated in parliament.

It comes after the BVA revealed 60% of vets said they are seeing more cropped dogs than in previous years and 58% of small animal vets have been presented with dogs with cropped ears in the past year.

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.

BVA president James Russell said the number of vets seeing cropped ears was shocking

“We are now urging them to bring these measures into play at the earliest possible opportunity.”

Ear cropping is illegal in the UK, unless it is carried out for medical reasons, however it is still legal in other parts of the world, such as the US and some European countries, and welfare experts fear the “loophole” of dogs being imported acts “as a smokescreen” for illegal cropping in the UK.

It is is most often carried out on guarding breeds such as mastiffs, Dobermanns and American bullies, and involves removing the floppy part of the ears when a dog is a puppy to achieve a more aggressive and intimidating appearance.

The petition was spearheaded by the BVA and the FOAL Group (Focus on Animal Law).

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