Petition · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Ban all forms of animal mutilation unless required for essential veterinary care
Closed
111 signatures
What the petition asks
We urge the UK Government to ban all forms of animal mutilation done for non-medical reasons, including ear cropping, tail docking, debeaking, dehorning, and tooth clipping unless required for essential veterinary care.
Animals should not undergo painful or distressing procedures for convenience, or production efficiency. While UK law bans many mutilations, others remain not only legal but the standard practice, especially in farming, breeding, and imports.
Protecting animals aligns with the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and the UK’s duty to recognize animals as sentient and lead in compassionate, science-based welfare.
Protecting animals aligns with the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and the UK’s duty to recognize animals as sentient and lead in compassionate, science-based welfare.
Timeline
| 2 Dec 2025 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 2 Jun 2026 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
111
Status
Closed
Department
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Opened
2 Dec 2025
Closed
2 Jun 2026
Follow this petition
Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.
Source: the official petition page. Last checked 12 Aug 2026.