Ear-cropping of dogs now an indictable offence
Cropping a dog’s ears has now been banned after a new statutory instrument was signed into law to protect dogs from “unjustifiable and needless mutilation”.
Animal-welfare charities and dog-lovers have highlighted what they describe as “a cruel and harmful practice”.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue signed the Ear-Cropping of Dogs Regulations 2023 in August, and the regulations took effect from 1 September.
The regulations will tighten restrictions already in place under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013[1].
Restrictions
They place restrictions on owning, possessing, importing and selling or supplying dogs that have been subject to this practice.
It is now illegal to own a dog with cropped or partially cropped ears without the necessary documentation, such as an import licence or vet’s certificate that the procedure was done to treat disease.
Approved animal-welfare organisations may rehome dogs with cropped ears.
The regulations also ban the owning, selling or supplying of ear-cropping equipment.
Show or competitions for ear-cropped dogs are also forbidden.
A person found guilty of contravention on indictment can face a fine of up to €250,000 and up to five years’ imprisonment.
For a summary conviction, the penalty is a fine of up to €5,000 and/or up to six months’ imprisonment.