The UK’s largest animal welfare charity is supporting a call to ban the import of dogs with cropped ears, after a shocking 236 per cent rise in reports of the practice. Although under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, ear cropping is against the law in England and Wales, there are worries that dogs are being sent abroad, or purchased in countries where the procedure is still legal. The RSPCA fears this unregulated practice is being normalised and even made popular through celebrity culture, images shared on social media from abroad, and an increase in Bull breeds used in advertising.
Now the charity is supporting dog trainer Jordan Shelley, who has launched a petition calling on the Government to ban the importation of dogs with cropped ears. “There appears to be an alarming rise in the number of dogs being imported after undergoing the inhumane procedure of having their ears mutilated,” explained Jordan.
RSPCA dog welfare expert Dr Samantha Gaines added: “Ear cropping is a painful and unnecessary practice in which a dog’s ears are removed or surgically altered.” The charity urges people to report anyone suspected of cropping dogs’ ears themselves, arranging for dogs’ ears to be cropped in the UK, or sending their dogs abroad for the procedure, by calling 0300 1234 999.