13 Acknowledged

Introduce urgent legislation to close loophole allowing importation of mutilated animals.

Recommendation
Ear cropping, cosmetic tail docking and cat declawing are ethically abhorrent procedures which are likely to have lasting welfare implications for the animals involved. The Government must give priority to closing the loophole that enables the importation of mutilated animals. This legislation should be introduced as a matter of urgency, and certainly before the end of the current Parliament. (Paragraph 60) 36 Pet welfare and abuse
Government Response Summary
The government partially accepts, stating it maintains close relationships with the kennelling sector and police, and uses these to inform policy, including potential changes to the LAIA Regulations which regulate commercial kennels.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government Acknowledged
The Government partially accepts the Committee’s recommendation. We continue to maintain close relationships with the kennelling sector through our relationships with sector groups such as the Canine and Feline Sector Group which includes representatives from the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes and Local Government Animal Welfare Group, and individual trade associations such as the UK Alliance of Catteries and Kennels. We also maintain close relationships with key representatives from English Police forces who also have powers of seizure. We use these relationships to inform our policy, including potential changes to the LAIA Regulations which regulate commercial kennels.
Timeline
Recommendation age 2.2 yrs
Report published 05 Apr 2024