Lib Dem bill set to pass Commons to end pet mutilation and “transform” animal welfare in UK

EMBARGO: 00.01 Friday 4 July 2025

Liberal Democrat MP Danny Chambers’ Private Members’ Bill is set to pass the Commons today [Friday 4 July], with the Government backing the Bill. The vet MP said the move will “eradicate” dangerous puppy smuggling and end “serious public health worries” about the spread of disease associated with imported pets. 

Lib Dem MP Danny Chambers’ Private Members’ Bill is expected to pass the Commons tomorrow [Friday 4 July], passing to the Lords for final approval with Government backing.

The bill will ban the import of pets with cropped ears and who are heavily pregnant. Ear cropping is already illegal practice in the UK, seen as a cruel, unnecessary procedure made exclusively for aesthetic reasons, but it can cause serious harm and infection in pets. With the import loophole closed, there will be no legal way to obtain pets with these kinds of mutilations in the UK. Ear and tail modifiers will no longer have an excuse to carry out the practice, “transforming” animal welfare and “eradicating” cruel practices that endanger the wellbeing of cats and dogs subject to the mutilation.

But Danny Chambers also pointed to the public health issues associated with puppy smuggling, including dogs who are imported while heavily pregnant or at a very young age to the UK, who are rarely checked for diseases like rabies. Vets and other public health experts in the sector are seriously concerned about the health and wellbeing of dogs and animals illegally imported into the UK as well as their potential infection of animals already resident here. This bill would curb concerns about potential public health threats caused by the illegal import of dogs.

Danny Chambers, vet and Lib Dem MP for Winchester, said:

“I’m so proud to bring forward this Bill to stop pet mutilation in Britain once and for all. This legislation will transform animal welfare in the UK and eradicate cruel practices that should have been wiped out years ago.

“Today, we’re one step closer to closing the loopholes that allow that kind of animal abuse to happen in this country. Mutilated animals can face horrendous injuries, infections, and psychological issues, which vets like myself see each and every day.

“Even more worryingly, the illegal smuggling of puppies has long caused serious public health worries that dangerous diseases could be brought back into the UK. This bill will curb those concerns – stamping out savage practices that endanger animals everywhere.”

Owen Sharp, CEO of Dogs Trust said:

“For too long dogs have suffered at the hands of unscrupulous breeders and criminals who have taken advantage of loopholes to mistreat innocent animals, all to make money with no care for their welfare.

“We are delighted that the Puppy Smuggling Bill has now passed the House of Commons Stage, a huge step for animal welfare, which means we are one step closer to this dreadful trade becoming a thing of the past.”

ENDS