The Imports Bill

Ear cropping is illegal in the UK. But the import of dogs with cropped ears isn’t. This means they can still be brought into the UK to be sold. And it gives a smokescreen for the unnecessary, cruel practice to carry on here.

Right now, we’ve got a chance to change this. 

Will you help us speak up, for them?

Read our Parliamentary briefing on the bill 

What is the Imports Bill?

The Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill, or the Imports Bill for short, is currently going through the House of Commons, with the Report Stage scheduled for 4th July. If passed, it will help stop the import of dogs with cropped ears. It would also help tackle puppy and kitten smuggling, and the import of animals that are about to give birth.

But we have to act fast.

We have been calling for this legislation for years – this is the third version of the Imports Bill to come to parliament.

If we don’t get enough support before the parliamentary session ends in the coming weeks, we’ll have missed our chance. 

Why this matters?

The Imports Bill has the power to change the lives of dogs and cats in a number of ways.

Tackling Harmful Trends

Ear cropping has been illegal in the UK for nearly 20 years, but the import of dogs with cropped ears isn’t. The Imports Bill will remove the smokescreen that allows the cruel practice to continue. The Bill can help stop the import of animals with mutilations, including dogs with cropped ears and cats that have been declawed, so fewer animals are put through these cruel procedures.

Find out more

Preventing poor breeding practices

The bill can help stop the import of animals with mutilations, including dogs with cropped ears and cats that have been declawed, so fewer animals are put through these cruel procedures.

It will reduce the number of animals brought into the UK in poor conditions, including puppies, kittens and animals about to give birth.

Find out more
Wrinkly dog looking sad

How can I help?

This is our chance to help stop ear cropping. You can help get the bill made into law and change the lives of countless dogs and cats.

Will you help us speak up, for them? Ask your MP to support the bill today by sending them an email. 

Email your MP now

Fudge's Story

Fudge came in as a stray with cropped ears. Her Romanian-registered chip suggested that the brutal procedure was done to her before she was imported into the UK.

Read her story

Ear Cropping Explained

Ear cropping is often done to dogs without any pain relief or anaesthetic. And in most cases, with a standard knife or blade.

People may want dogs with cropped ears to look 'powerful’, but the impact on dogs goes beyond how they look.

Thank you to Dr Danny Chambers MP and Dr Neil Hudson MP for bringing this Bill forward.

  • Aphra Brandreth MP
  • Bob Blackman MP
  • Cat Eccles MP
  • Claire Young MP
  • Daniel Zeichner MP
  • Emma Foody MP
  • Irene Campbell MP
  • Johanna Baxter MP
  • Kanishka Narayan MP
  • Louie French MP
  • Mary Creagh MP
  • Michelle Scrogham MP
  • Paul Davies MP
  • Rebecca Paul MP
  • Ruth Jones MP
  • Sadik Al-Hassan MP
  • Sarah Champion MP
  • Vikki Slade MP