EU countries are speaking out against the breeding of dogs and cats with extreme characteristics. The aim is to prevent these traits from being passed on to future generations if there is a high health risk for them and their descendants, member states announced on Wednesday. Cutting off the ears and tails of dogs should also be banned throughout the EU.
What exactly constitutes such an extreme characteristic with a health risk has yet to be determined based on scientific research. Examples include short noses, floppy ears in cats or deliberately caused degenerations of the musculoskeletal system.
Docking should be banned throughout the EU
Painful mutilations – such as cutting off parts of the tail or ears – should also be banned. The EU-wide law also aims to curb the illegal trade in the popular pets and do more for their welfare. In concrete terms, the standards for keeping dogs and cats should also be standardized. For example, there must be a minimum amount of space, regulated access to daylight and basic rules for feeding in facilities such as animal houses.
In addition, all animals would have to be chipped and registered in a database before being sold or given away. This should then be accessible throughout Europe. There are currently no plans to extend the new regulations to animals owned by private individuals.
72 million dogs and 83 million cats
The basis for the position of the EU countries was a proposal that the European Commission had already presented in the winter of 2023. According to the EU states, this did not mean an end to breeding for extreme traits. According to the authority, citizens in the European Union own more than 72 million dogs and 83 million cats. The annual turnover in the pet trade is estimated at around 1.3 billion euros.
Before the new rules can enter into force, the final legal text must be negotiated with the European Parliament.
Source: Krone
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