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<p>Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, it is already an offence in England and Wales
to carry out a non-exempted mutilation, including the cropping of a dog’s ears or
the docking of their tails. The Animal Welfare (Sentencing) Act 2021 creates tougher
penalties for anyone convicted of such an offence face, either being sent to prison
for up to five years, or receiving an unlimited fine, or both.</p><p> </p><p>In August
2021, the Government launched a consultation on proposed restrictions to the commercial
import and non-commercial movement of pets into Great Britain including restricting
the import of dogs with cropped ears and docked tails. We are carefully reviewing
the feedback gathered from our consultation and wider engagement with stakeholders,
and a summary will be published soon.</p><p> </p><p>The Government supports the Private
Members’ Bill, Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill, introduced
by Selaine Saxby MP on restricting the importation and non-commercial movement of
pets. The Bill will contain powers that will enable future regulations for commercial
and non-commercial movements of pets into the United Kingdom including prohibiting
the import of dogs with cropped ears and docked tails.</p><p> </p>
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