With the launch of its new campaign the RSPCA has joined forces with to renew calls to end the import of dogs with cropped ears.
While cropping a dog’s ear is illegal both in the UK and across the EU, it is not uncommon for people who wish ‘tough-looking’ dogs to buy mutilated dogs abroad, or to use this loophole as a smokescreen to hide illegal mutilations carried out in the UK. In a convicted couple attempted to claim their cropped pup had gone through the procedure abroad, although no proof was found that the dog had at any point left the UK.
Earlier this year, an edition of BBC Panorama and BBC Disclosure aired which raised serious questions about the welfare of dogs being shown by the American Bully Kennel Club, with dogs with cropped ears prominent at their events, according to the documentary. Following these concerns, the American Bully Kennel Club event, Bully Festival, was cancelled by two separate venues.
A study by the University of (SAVSNET) recently identified identified “a total of 132 dogs that had cropped ears between 2015 and 2022, with rates peaking in 2021”. Breeds such as the American Bulldog, Dobermann, Italian Mastiff (Cane Corso), Bulldog and Mastiff were all “significantly over-represented”.
According to researchers, in 84 per cent of cases examined there was “evidence of importation, most commonly from countries where cropping is also illegal including Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Serbia, Spain, Poland, and Ireland”.
While the UK Government pledged to ban the import of dogs with cropped ears as part of its Kept Animal Bill, the Bill itself , not having progressed in its journey through Parliament since November 2021.
Dr Sam Gaines, head of the RSPCA’s companion animals team, said, “Ear cropping is a painful and unnecessary practice in which a dogs’ ears are removed or surgically altered. It does not benefit the dog in any way and can actually be detrimental to their health, behaviour and welfare, but sadly many owners think the look is glamorous or makes their pet look tough.
“While we do have concerns that ear cropping is being carried out illegally, and underground, in this country, some dogs with cropped ears are being sent abroad to have the procedure done or are being imported deliberately from countries with less stringent animal welfare laws and regulations than here.
“Dogs should never be mutilated for cosmetic purposes and, while this practice has been illegal in this country for a long, long time, we’d like to see more regulation to ensure that it’s no longer possible to get a cropped dog in England and Wales, unless rescuing through a reputable organisation.”
She added, “Sadly, our rescuers continue to frequently see dogs who are suffering as a result of ear cropping – so regulations in the UK which will ban the importation of dogs with cropped ears will be so important.
“We know unscrupulous traders seek to circumvent the law and crop dogs’ ears to try and make a quick buck, which is frustratingly fuelled by unhelpful social media trends. That’s why we’re urging the UK Government to work with us and our friends at Hope Rescue to launch a new promotional campaign, highlighting to dog owners the law and how dangerous ear cropping is for dogs.
“The UK Government also needs to revive its stalled Kept Animals Bill, to criminalise the import of these poor dogs with cropped ears.”