Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 October 2025
628. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of prosecutions taken under the Ear-cropping of Dogs Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 412 of 2023) since it entered into force. [56676/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra629. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether any prosecutions have been taken under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 specifically for ear-cropping offences. [56677/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 628 and 629 together.
Under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, it is illegal to crop the ears of a puppy or dog of any age. Ear-cropping is a cruel and unnecessary mutilation, causing the dog pain and suffering at the time the ears are cropped, and can often lead to lifelong discomfort and recurrent infections.
Statutory Instrument 412 of 2023 Ear-cropping of Dogs Regulations 2023, further strengthened the restrictions in place on the practice of ear-cropping. The Regulation came into operation on 1st September 2023 and specifically restricts the possession or control of dogs with cropped ears, the sale or supply of dogs with cropped ears, the import of dogs with cropped ears and the possession, sale or supply of equipment used to crop the ears of dogs, and prohibits the showing of dogs with cropped ears.
To date, my Department has taken 11 prosecutions, under the suit of the Minister under the Animal Health and Welfare Act, for ear-cropping offences, resulting in fines of €6,900, four prison sentences of which two were suspended and bans from keeping animals. No cases have been taken to date under the Ear-cropping of Dogs Regulations.
