Vet MP meets rescue animals at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home as PMB on track to become law

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

Winchester MP and veterinary surgeon, Dr Danny Chambers, visited Battersea Dogs & Cats Home today [Tuesday 13th May] to discuss his Animal Welfare Bill and meet rescue dogs who have suffered from the abuses his bill aims to stop.

Winchester MP and veterinary surgeon, Dr Danny Chambers, says clamping down on illegal puppy smuggling is the best way to stop cruel pet mutilation practices in the UK.

His legislation, which has already sailed through its second vote in the Commons with cross-party support and expected to pass through committee stage this week, intends to stop pet mutilations by shutting down the import loophole.

Danny Chambers and Battersea Dogs & Cats Home are calling on MPs from across all parties to continue backing the Bill and ensure it becomes law.

Pet mutilations, such as ear cropping and tail docking, are widespread in the UK despite being illegal. Import of animals that have already had these procedures is still legal. This creates a market for mutilated animals in the UK with animals being transported under inhumane conditions. It allows abusers of animals within the UK to claim the offences were carried out overseas, even if the illegal procedures had been carried out locally.

By closing the import loophole, it will be harder to fraudulently pass off imported animals as pets travelling with their owners, and help law enforcement tackle animal abuse here in the UK.

Danny Chambers, Liberal Democrat MP for Winchester, said:

“As a vet, I’ve seen the heartbreaking consequences of ear cropping and tail docking up close. Dogs left in pain, scarred for life, both physically and emotionally.

"These brutal, unnecessary procedures are often carried out by unscrupulous breeders chasing a particular “look” — one that makes dogs appear tougher or more aggressive. But behind that image is a sentient creature who has suffered needlessly.

“These aren’t medical treatments, they’re mutilations, plain and simple. In a compassionate modern society, there is absolutely no justification for inflicting this kind of cruelty.”

Peter Laurie, Battersea Cats and Dogs Home Chief Executive, said:
“Battersea has long campaigned for restrictions on the importation of dogs and cats into the UK.

“We are pleased to see this important Bill brought to Committee Stage this week, and support for it has never been more crucial if we are to reduce the unnecessary suffering that so many dogs and cats endure.

“We urge all politicians to work together to get this legislation passed in the time we have left in this Parliament.”  

ENDS