Petition to ban importation of dogs with cropped ears.

RE: Petition to ban importation of dogs with cropped ears.

grumpyoldman — Tue, 03 Nov 2020 17:37:48 GMT

Its getting more and more common . I think its a really bad idea to take these people on so if i get wind of it we send them elsewhere ,but sometimes the appointment is made and its ill and they are in the car park so you have to deal with it. It all goes back to the old debate on docking "the correct length of a dogs tail madam is what it was born with ". Some people need clients and money and will pander to these people ,good luck with that.

RE: Petition to ban importation of dogs with cropped ears.

Gillian Mostyn — Wed, 28 Oct 2020 14:22:22 GMT

[quote userid="9515" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/29432/petition-to-ban-importation-of-dogs-with-cropped-ears/226229#226229"]Like automatically castrating every dog 6 months of age that is presented for castration.[/quote]

There is certainly a debate to be had here. My opinions on castration have changed somewhat over the last few years. But it is still undeniable that castration brings benefits - if not to the individual, then certainly in the way of population management. I'm struggling to think of any benefits that cosmetic mutilations have for the individual or the population.

RE: Petition to ban importation of dogs with cropped ears.

Sarah Keir — Wed, 28 Oct 2020 13:33:44 GMT

[quote userid="2457" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/29432/petition-to-ban-importation-of-dogs-with-cropped-ears/226139#226139"]we could be carrying out all kinds of mutilations simply to avoid it being done badly elsewher[/quote]

Like automatically castrating every dog 6 months of age that is presented for castration.

RE: Petition to ban importation of dogs with cropped ears.

Lucy Fleming — Tue, 27 Oct 2020 08:40:14 GMT

[quote userid="3607" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/29432/petition-to-ban-importation-of-dogs-with-cropped-ears/226122#226122"]Isn't it a shame that there isn't better animal welfare control in the EU!!!!![/quote]

To be fair, this is also illegal in most European countries - though there are plenty of kennels who make a speciality of importing dogs from the few countries that do still allow it (while touting the line that they search for the "best genetics" of course)

RE: Petition to ban importation of dogs with cropped ears.

Clive Ansell — Fri, 23 Oct 2020 18:45:44 GMT

[quote userid="2985" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/29432/petition-to-ban-importation-of-dogs-with-cropped-ears/226151#226151"]No new client appointments until I've seen the history and interviewed them. Never thought I'd ever hear myself say that, but there's going to be a waiting list going forwards. [/quote]

Yep, sounds like a great cunning plan to me.

I was recently talking about it on another thread, one of my regular practices does just that. All potential new clients are vetted for suitability, a full history is obtained. Any wiff, any at all, of any BS and they are not welcome. The practice is better for it; better work, better clients, less stress, everyone's happy.

RE: Petition to ban importation of dogs with cropped ears.

Clive Ansell — Fri, 23 Oct 2020 18:40:18 GMT

[quote userid="14693" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/29432/petition-to-ban-importation-of-dogs-with-cropped-ears/226140#226140"]All bitches of course so that is 2 litters a year for 20-30 grand a pop tax free[/quote]

Does anyone enlighten HMRC about these ?

RE: Petition to ban importation of dogs with cropped ears.

Peter Faulkner — Fri, 23 Oct 2020 14:52:53 GMT

[quote userid="6550" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/29432/petition-to-ban-importation-of-dogs-with-cropped-ears/226124#226124"]Once treatment has been completed they will be sacked!![/quote]

I know how you feel Bob, I've reached the stage though where I don't want to get involved from day 1. All that happens is you get sucked in and invested in the case and then struggle to manage all the bullshit. They are genuinely unpleasant people who don't give a shit and won't hesitate to blame you unless the outcome is complete perfection. I've had enough. This is just one of a series of really weird 'new client' interactions recently that's forced me to call a halt. No new client appointments until I've seen the history and interviewed them. Never thought I'd ever hear myself say that, but there's going to be a waiting list going forwards.

[quote userid="5012" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/29432/petition-to-ban-importation-of-dogs-with-cropped-ears/226123#226123"]Should we sending these folk away and refusing to treat their dogs though? not the dogs fault and it may need treatment ?? just a thought. [/quote]

Simple answer is, 'Yes.' Take him back to the Vet who did the op in Hungary. If everyone just says, "No, this is wrong. Take him back to where you got him from." This new craze could be halted before it even starts.

RE: Petition to ban importation of dogs with cropped ears.

Lesley Strong — Fri, 23 Oct 2020 11:30:01 GMT

Yep had one this week. American Bulldog from Romania( Owner sat outside puffing away on his joint) Really nice friendly puppy but already has raging O externa

We have had about half a dozen of these Romanian Bulldogs recently,though this is the 1st one with cropped ears, so the word is obviously out among that certain element of society that this is the new "in" dog. All bitches of course so that is 2 litters a year for 20-30 grand a pop tax free

Signed the petition but these people don't obey the rules anywhere else in their life so even if it's illegal they will just carry on.

RE: Petition to ban importation of dogs with cropped ears.

Gillian Mostyn — Fri, 23 Oct 2020 11:05:38 GMT

Difficult question, but the alternative is to be complicit.

My opinion was that I didn't want them in the practice as I didn't want them giving other clients or their friends any impression that I would be party to it. If they tell all their friends and fellow breeders that they are now struggling to source a vet to treat them for anything other than emergencies, maybe it is one more reason for them not to bother. And maybe being sacked from a practice is a bit embarrassing?

I also refused to do elective caesarians (which are done for the convenience, reduced pup mortality and reduced costs for the client and do not benefit the bitch, if prompt care is found if needed).

I struggle with the argument 'better I do it than someone else less able'. By the same token, we could be carrying out all kinds of mutilations simply to avoid it being done badly elsewhere.

You're right though, there are many many other welfare issues that we choose to ignore. I stopped doing exotics work because of the poor welfare of the majority of these animals. (Should we be keeping birds in cages at all?) But we will get furthest by all dealing with this on an individual basis to gradually change opinions.

RE: Petition to ban importation of dogs with cropped ears.

Bob Russell — Fri, 23 Oct 2020 09:13:58 GMT

We have seen a few patients recently belonging to 'breeders' and they have caused more problems than all our regulars put together.

I had almost forgotten just how nasty some of these individuals can get. Once treatment has been completed they will be sacked!!

So bad that we now record phone calls to reduce the inaccurate statements being bandied about on social media.

I would give any client importing one of these puppies their marching orders. Eventually these people will get a shock when they have been sacked by all the local practices!!

RE: Petition to ban importation of dogs with cropped ears.

Clive Ansell — Fri, 23 Oct 2020 09:03:54 GMT

I agree with the petition, but fear it will make about as much difference as a cat flap in an elephant house. I think we need, as Gillian states, to educate the public, as well as reporting any crime to the police, and imposing massive fees where these things go wrong and need treatment.

Also; there are many, many other welfare concerns that we could do more about and choose not too. Take ouu professions complicitness in multiple c-sections, BOAS surgery, and the continued breeding of deformed so called designer dogs. Some elements of factory farming. The list is huge.

Should we sending these folk away and refusing to treat their dogs though? not the dogs fault and it may need treatment ?? just a thought.

RE: Petition to ban importation of dogs with cropped ears.

Malcolm Ness — Fri, 23 Oct 2020 08:57:27 GMT

Isn't it a shame that there isn't better animal welfare control in the EU!!!!!

RE: Petition to ban importation of dogs with cropped ears.

Gillian Mostyn — Fri, 23 Oct 2020 07:38:20 GMT

I had a dog appear like this a few years ago. I also refused to treat it (non emergency) unless I could remove the dressings. Like yours, the owner left.

I agree in principle with the petition, but I don't know how workable it is in practice? The type of folk who would choose to do this are unlikely to worry about the legalities. I think we just need to improve public understanding amongst 'good' folk of normal anatomy and the artificial modifications so that these owners encounter disgust from others every day.