An influential committee of MPs has launched a new inquiry to determine the extent of pet cruelty and abuse in the UK.
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee will look into the risks to biosecurity and public health posed by unscrupulous breeding such as “puppy mills”, the breeding of so-called “designer dogs”, and the importation of heavily pregnant bitches, as well as whether the ban on mutilation such as ear cropping is proving effective.
The committee will also consider whether the cost of living crisis and the return to work post-lockdown has had a negative impact on pet welfare, and what steps can be taken to support the work of pet charities, sanctuaries and vets. It will conclude by asking how government can end cruel practices and improve pet welfare, and whether the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill, as currently drafted, will help to tackle the issues covered by the inquiry.
Committee chair Sir Robert Goodwill MP said: “Having previously called Defra to account on the issue of pet smuggling, we already have evidence that abuse of animals for the pet trade is taking place.
“The Committee intends to get to the root of what is going on and hear how best to improve pet welfare and stamp out bad practice.
“Unregulated back-yard breeding of ‘designer dogs’, not to mention cruel practices such as the declawing of cats for cosmetic purposes, should not take place anywhere – let alone in our country, which is known as a nation of animal lovers.”
The committee will gather information by inviting witnesses to oral evidence sessions, usually held in Parliament’s Committee Rooms.
People with experience in the areas covered by the inquiry are invited to submit written evidence to the inquiry.
The deadline for written submissions is Friday March 31, 2023.
For further information and to submit evidence, please click here.
