Allow charities to rescue dogs with docked tails under the Animal Welfare Bill
We ask Parliament to include an exemption in the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill for registered charities and approved, responsible rescue organisations to rehome adult, disease tested dogs, who were previously docked as working hunting dogs abroad.
Signatures
23,257
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 10,000/10,000 · reached
Debate threshold (100,000) · 23,257/100,000
- 06 JAN 2026Government respondedDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsGovernment reply
We will work with stakeholders to consider appropriate exemptions as we deliver the relevant regulations. Exemptions will need to be finely balanced against the risk of creating loopholes.
Read full response - 07 DEC 202510,000 signatures reachedEligible for a government response
- 17 NOV 2025Petition opened for signaturesCreated by Sarah-Jane Newton
Background
Without an exemption, we can no longer rescue Italian Spinoni, and organisations cannot help many other working breeds like pointers, spaniels and griffons.
These dogs have sadly lost their tails, docked for working purposes, not fashion, and are often treated abroad as disposable hunting tools. We support this Bill and ask to help improve it in crafting legislation that protects welfare while preventing loopholes. Please involve us, and let us continue to help these dogs.