The government are looking to introduce new powers to reduce puppy smuggling and ban the import of dogs with cropped ears and docked tails.

The proposed new powers include:

  • Raising the minimum age of imported puppy’s from 15 weeks to 6 months.
  • A ban on importing heavily pregnant dogs to safeguard puppy and mother welfare.
  • Prohibiting the movement into Great Britain of dogs with cropped ears and docked tails.

Why are these changes needed?

Demand for puppies increased massively during the 2020 lockdown, causing the average price for a puppy to go up from £1,900 to over £3,000. People with no experience of dog breeding, and some unscrupulous traders have, seen this as a business opportunity with no regard for the welfare of the dogs.

From the Government’s official press release:

“More than 66,000 dogs were commercially imported into the UK last year (2020) according to Animal and Plant Health Agency figures. However, evidence shows a recent rise in low-welfare imports and smuggling activity, with border authorities seeing around a 260% increase in the number of young puppies being intercepted for not meeting the UK’s pet import rules – from 324 in 2019 to 843 in 2020.”

Read the full press release here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-powers-to-tackle-cruel-puppy-smuggling-move-step-closer

Docked tails and cropped ears

Tail docking is the removal of part, or the whole, tail. This is often just done for cosmetic reasons. It’s considered mutilation under UK law and illegal in the UK with some exceptions (i.e. for medical reasons.)

Ear cropping is where people surgically alter, shape, or even completely remove a dog’s ears.  It is a barbaric and horrible process that is illegal in England and Wales. Sadly, the RSPCA have reported a 620% rise in reports of dogs having their ears cropped.

Despite both ear cropping and tail docking being illegal in the UK, these dogs are still being imported from countries where the procedure is still legal, like America and some European countries. The proposed new law is looking to crack down on these imports by banning them from entering the country.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is asking for feedback on the new proposals for commercial and non-commercial movement of pets (dogs, cats and ferrets) into Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). You can give leave your views directly with them here: https://consult.defra.gov.uk/pet-travel-and-imports-team/pet-travel/