The ISPCA welcomes comments from Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue confirming that stricter restrictions on the ownership and importation of dogs with cropped ears will be introduced in the coming weeks.
Cropping is the removal of part or all of the pinnae or auricles, the external visible flap of the ear, of an animal. In the past it was done for perceived health, practical or cosmetic reasons but current veterinary science considers that there is no medical or physical advantage to the animal from the procedure.
There is considerable cruelty and suffering associated with this unnecessary and barbaric practice. It is not just the pain that is inflicted during the procedure and its immediate aftermath. Dogs can experience life-long pain as a result of having their ears cut off. And the dogs are impacted in other, less obvious ways including their ability to communicate. Dogs use visual cues to communicate and express emotion, and removing part or all of their ears severely limits their ability to do so.
The mutilation of a dog’s ears has been illegal for many years and is a prohibited operation under section 16(b) of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 (AHWA). ISPCA Inspectors, as Authorised Officers under the AHWA, have brought a number of criminal cases in relation to illegal ear cropping before the courts. Despite these facts, in recent years dogs with cropped ears have become more and more prevalent, particularly American Bullys.
“As the law stood until now it has been very difficult to prove offences in court” commented ISPCA Chief Inspector Conor Dowling, “While it was an offence to perform the cropping procedure or to cause another person to carry it out, it was not illegal to import such a dog, to possess such a dog, or to buy or sell such a dog”.
The ISPCA believes that the issue of public awareness is also important. It has been apparent that sections of the population not familiar with these breeds do not recognise that the dogs have been maimed.
Chief Inspector Dowling added: “The new restrictions will better equip our Inspectors to tackle this cruel practice. It will take some time, but we hope that this new legislation will finally put a stop to ear cropping in Ireland for good, and that we will get to a position where dogs with cropped ears will not be normalised”.
