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Statistics suggest increase in dogs with cropped ears
61 per cent of vets believe they are seeing more dogs with cropped ears than ever before
Survey shows 61 per cent of vets see more of the illegal practice 

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has released shocking new statistics showing that more dogs with cropped ears are arriving in veterinary practices than ever before, suggesting a worrying trend of more dogs with illegally cropped ears in the UK.

The BVA Voice of the Veterinary Profession survey revealed that 58 per cent of small animal vets have seen more dogs with cropped ears in their practices in the last year, with 61 per cent of these vets believing that they are seeing more cropped dogs than ever before. The breed that was most commonly seen with cropped ears was the Doberman, followed by American bulldogs and cane corsos.

Whilst it is illegal to crop dogs' ears in the UK, there is a loophole in the law allowing the importation of dogs with cropped ears from other countries where it is legal, and it is not classified as a specific offence to send dogs abroad to have the procedure. 

In the Queen's Speech last month, measures were announced to close these loopholes, and after a petition calling for action on this issue, which gained over 100,000 signatures, the UK Government pledged to ban the import of cropped dogs. Spearheaded by the BVA and The FOAL Group, under the banners of #CutTheCrop and #FlopNotCrop, the petition will remain open for signatures until August 2021.

The Government debated the petition yesterday (7 June), and confirmed its commitment to the issue, promising to introduce secondary legislation to prevent the import of dogs with cropped ears.

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

 

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.