Where in Europe Is It Legal to Crop Dogs Ears

These practices are illegal in most European countries, including Romania and Bulgaria, from where some of the recent cases have been imported. Among other things, these bodies believe that the absence of more comprehensive bans is a smokescreen for illegal cultivation in the UK. On 9 March 2021, the UK government responded to the petition, stating that it would explore options to combat the importation of mutilated dogs in accordance with World Trade Organisation rules after the transition period. The UK Government also referred to existing powers under Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport and national transport rules and stressed that these would apply to dogs injured as a result of non-exempt mutilations. However, it is not currently prohibited to own a dog with its ears cut off and, as can be seen in the Scottish SPCA and RSPCA reports above, animals that have undergone this mutilation are seen in greater numbers. These animals may have been raised or imported illegally in Scotland or elsewhere in the UK. The challenge remains that many “rescue dogs” under PETS come to the UK if they were to enter under Broom, with full checks. There appears to be some confusion among new homeowners about the import rules that are actually followed by the relocation organizations they work with (Norman et al., 2020). The lack of a ban on owning a dog with its ears cut off means that once the wound has healed, it becomes much more difficult to prove beyond doubt that the mutilation took place in Scotland. The current situation therefore precludes the application of the existing prohibition.

Although cutting ears is not prohibited in the United States, many veterinarians refuse to perform the procedure. In 2009, Banfield Veterinary Group, the largest private veterinary practice in the United States, banned cosmetic ear cutting from its procedures. The Canadian Kennel Club approves the display of “uncircumcised” dogs at shows, but according to the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS), ear pruning remains largely in practice. Ear trimming is common among Great Danes, Dobermans and boxers. In the last 100 years, ear trimming has been done more often for aesthetic purposes. [5] [15] In countries and states where it remains legal, it is generally practiced because it is required as part of a breed standard for display at dog shows. [15] Although tail amputation, lug removal and sterilization are common in the United States, ear trimming is declining, except in the dog show industry. [15] Some Showring contestants state that they would stop the practice altogether if they could still “win in the ring”. [16] We call on the government to close these loopholes. She had docked her cock and almost completely removed her ears. Unsurprisingly, she was incredibly suspicious of people and it took months for employees to build their confidence and ability to trust.

End of ear cropping: dogs need their ears – and here`s the reason A recent increase in cases of illegal ear clippings highlights the need for urgent action by the veterinary profession and the general public to curb this worrying trend. In this blog, Daniella Dos Santos, Senior Vice President of BVA, presents the problem and shares what the public and veterinarians can do to take action. Three provincial veterinary associations have banned earcuts only: Manitoba (6),[32], British Columbia (7),[33][34] and Saskatchewan (☨☨☨8). [35] In Scotland, section 20 of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2006 (Scotland) Act 2006 makes it an offence to carry out or cause to be carried out a prohibited procedure on a protected animal. It is also a criminal offence to allow reasonable steps to be taken to prevent another person from carrying out a prohibited procedure or removing an animal from Scotland so that it can undergo such a procedure. A prohibited procedure is a procedure involving interference with the delicate tissues or bone structure of an animal, unless it is carried out for the medical treatment of an animal or for such purpose and under such conditions as the Scottish Ministers may make regulations. Significantly, as far as dogs are concerned, all of them serve objectively positive purposes: identification; control of reproduction or general management of animals; or the protection of dogs. (AH&W(S)A 2006, p. 20(5); Prohibited Procedures for Protected Animals (Exemptions) (Scotland) Regulations 2010, art. 3 and Appendix 9.) Despite the ban on ear cultivation, the Scottish SPCA told the Commission that in 2020, 39 calls were received to its Animal Helpline regarding the illegal procedure, resulting in 32 investigations. The RSPCA reported a 236% increase in reports of ear cancer in England and Wales over the past five years (a total of 178 reports between 2015 and 2019).

(RSPCA 2021) In 2004, Australia banned ear trimming and tail amputation unless performed by a veterinarian under medical circumstances. It has also been banned in New Zealand, South Africa, Israel, Bolivia and the Virgin Islands. A couple from Borders allowed their American tyrant dog Russia to have her ears cut off when she was four months old. The Scottish SPCA received reports that the attackers were keeping American bully dogs with ears cut off and that one puppy had freshly cut ears. When she was rescued, Russia`s earbuds were swollen and infected. They had been sewn with a nylon thread that looked like a fishing line, and the dog seemed to be in considerable pain. After the lawsuit, the owners received a one-year code of conduct, 80 hours of community reimbursement and a five-year ban on selling dogs. Cutting off ears is illegal in England and Wales under section 5 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

It is a painful process in which a dog`s outer ears are completely removed or surgically modified, cutting off the extremities or large parts of the outer ear. The Commission wishes to support the Scottish Government in its efforts to improve animal welfare in Scotland and recommends that the following additional measures be considered to prevent and prevent the increasing incidence of ear attacks: Hearing – Dogs` ears can move independently and move in the direction of sound, allowing them to be positioned in the optimal place for hearing. The outer ear is shaped to pick up sound waves and direct them into the ear canal and to the eardrum. It is not yet known whether surgical changes (such as cutting ears) affect hearing, but it is possible. Cutting the ears is no more “disgusting and abusive” than castration and sterilization. That is, not abusive at all. It`s time to send a clear message that cutting off dogs` ears is not acceptable and ending the trend of dogs being cut forever. Cutting the ears in dogs is a surgical operation prohibited in all European countries that have ratified the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals (Council of Europe 1987). This does not currently include the UK, but the issue is regulated by national animal welfare laws.

Edit: OP can vote me and everyone in this submarine whatever he wants, it does not change the illegality of the situation in most parts of Europe and especially not in Sweden, where he apparently lives. Ear-cutting is still prevalent in the United States and parts of Canada, with approximately 130,000 puppies in the United States whose ears are cut off each year. [18] Both the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the Canadian Kennel Club allow this practice. [15] The AKC`s position is that ear size and tail amputation are “acceptable practices that are integral to defining and maintaining breed character and/or improving health.” [19] While some states have attempted to ban the slaughter of ears,[20] there is strong opposition from some dog breed organizations citing health concerns and traditions. [21] Why all the fuss? Well, dogs need their ears.