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Written question asked by Baroness Redfern (Conservative) on Tuesday, 19 March 2024, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 4 April 2024. It was answered by Lord Douglas-Miller (Conservative) on Wednesday, 27 March 2024 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dogs: Imports and Sales

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to introduce a complete ban on the (1) importation, and (2) sale, of dogs which have had (a) their ears cropped, or (b) their tails docked, for cosmetic reasons.

Answer

Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, it is already an offence in England and Wales to carry out a non-exempted mutilation, including the cropping of a dog’s ears or the docking of their tails. The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021 creates tougher penalties for anyone convicted of such an offence face, either being sent to prison for up to five years, or receiving an unlimited fine, or both.

The Government supports the Private Members’ Bill, Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill, introduced by Selaine Saxby MP on restricting the importation and non-commercial movement of pets. The Bill contains powers that will enable future regulations for commercial and non-commercial movements of pets into the United Kingdom including prohibiting the import of dogs with cropped ears and docked tails. This will prevent the import of non-exempted mutilated dogs for onward sale in the United Kingdom.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL3415
Session
2023-24
Subjects
Animal welfare Dogs Imports Sales Regulation
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk