Illegal Mutilations

Part of 2. Questions to the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd – in the Senedd at 3:08 pm on 15 December 2021.

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Photo of Sioned Williams Sioned Williams Plaid Cymru 3:08, 15 December 2021

Diolch, Weinidog. You stated in your answer to Samuel Kurtz's question about this horrible trend for dogs with cropped ears, despite being an illegal mutilation in the UK, that you would work closely with the UK Government to try and prevent this illegal and barbaric practice. 

The number of reports that the RSPCA have received in relation to ear cropping increased by 621 per cent over a six-year period leading up to 2020, and the BBC report on this subject revealed that animal welfare officers at a local level don't have the resources to deal with this growing problem. So, could the Minister state how the Government will address this question of resource? And also, will the Government look at launching a public awareness campaign on the issue, as called for by the RSPCA, to send a clear message that the illegal mutilation of dogs for cosmetic purposes isn't acceptable in Wales? Diolch.