Martin has signed a joint Shadow Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and Shadow Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) letter to film studios and media outlets on the issue of ear cropping in dogs.
The letter calls for an end to the depiction of dogs with cropped ears in media productions and urges the implementation of clear warnings when such imagery cannot be avoided.
Martin adds, "This is a vital step in reinforcing our commitment to animal welfare and discouraging the normalisation of this illegal and cruel practice."
You can read the content of the letter below:
As parliamentarians and animal welfare advocates, we urge you to immediately cease depicting dogs with cropped ears in productions and implement warnings when such imagery is unavoidable in media reporting.
Ear cropping is a horrific, cruel and clinically unnecessary practice that is illegal in the UK under Section 5 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. This painful procedure, performed solely for ‘aesthetic’ purposes, involves the removal or alteration of a dog’s ears, often without proper veterinary care or pain relief. Despite its illegality, there has been an alarming increase in the number of dogs with cropped ears, partly due to the lack of import regulations and the influence of social media, popularising dogs with this appearance. Import restrictions to the UK are currently being progressed through a current parliamentary Bill.
The inclusion of cropped ears in media can inadvertently normalise this cruelty, misleading audiences into viewing mutilation as acceptable. Recent examples include reporting to audiences in the UK of a dog with cropped ears, Monty, winning Best in Show at the 2025 Westminster Kennel Club in the USA which exacerbates the problem and risks glamorising animal mutilation. This reporting, for instance on the BBC news website without clarification was alarming. Similarly, the inclusion of dogs with cropped ears in films and television without proper context may encourage viewers to seek out cropped dogs or even attempt DIY procedures using kits sold online. Examples include dogs with cropped ears depicted in films such as Disney Pixar’s 2009 film “Up” and Warner Animation Group and DC Entertainment’s 2022 film “DC League of Super-Pets.”
We therefore ask that you stop utilising images or depictions of dogs with cropped ears in your productions. For unavoidable cases, such as news reports available in the UK, a clear warning should be displayed about the illegality and cruelty of ear cropping in the UK.
Under the Cinematograph Films (Animals) Act 1937, the use of animals subjected to cruelty during production is strictly prohibited. Expanding this to animals that have been mutilated pre-production would also align with legislation on the depiction of animal abuse online through the Online Safety Act 2023.
Thank you for your consideration of this important issue. We look forward to hearing from you.
