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| Dog show called off again in Manchester over ear crops | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The BBC filmed undercover at an ABKC UK event in Manchester in July | The BBC filmed undercover at an ABKC UK event in Manchester in July |
| An international dog show has been cancelled for the second time after a BBC investigation into animal welfare. | An international dog show has been cancelled for the second time after a BBC investigation into animal welfare. |
| The event, run by the American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC) UK, was due to be held earlier this year in Coventry. | The event, run by the American Bully Kennel Club (ABKC) UK, was due to be held earlier this year in Coventry. |
| The venue terminated its agreement with organisers after the findings, which showed American bully-type dogs with cropped ears getting prizes. | The venue terminated its agreement with organisers after the findings, which showed American bully-type dogs with cropped ears getting prizes. |
| The ABKC UK Bully Festival was due to move to Manchester on Saturday, but it will no longer go ahead. | |
| A spokesman for Bowlers Exhibition Centre said: "After careful consideration and extensive consultation with local authorities, police and the RSPCA we have come to a mutual decision to cancel this weekend's ABKC dog show due to take place at the centre on Saturday." | A spokesman for Bowlers Exhibition Centre said: "After careful consideration and extensive consultation with local authorities, police and the RSPCA we have come to a mutual decision to cancel this weekend's ABKC dog show due to take place at the centre on Saturday." |
| Ear-cropping is where skin at the tops of dogs' ears is cut off to reshape them, which, in the case of the American bully, makes them stand more upright. | Ear-cropping is where skin at the tops of dogs' ears is cut off to reshape them, which, in the case of the American bully, makes them stand more upright. |
| The practice has been called "cruel" and "mutilation" by welfare organisations and is illegal in the UK under the Animal Health and Welfare Act. | The practice has been called "cruel" and "mutilation" by welfare organisations and is illegal in the UK under the Animal Health and Welfare Act. |
| Undercover filming found dogs with freshly cropped ears | |
| The RSPCA said it had seen incidents of ear-cropping rise in recent years. | |
| Dr Samantha Gaines, from the charity, said she was "really pleased" the Manchester event had been cancelled. | |
| "We raised our concerns with the centre and, after considering the impact of holding this event, they have listened and done the right thing." | |
| She said ear-cropping was a "painful, unnecessary procedure" which should not be applauded. | |
| "Sadly, despite [being illegal and cruel], too many people still think this is a desirable cosmetic trait and inflict this on dogs for no other reason than for the look," she added. | |
| Inside the world of organised crime and extreme dog breeding | |
| The investigation by the BBC's Panorama and Disclosure programmes also saw one journalist secretly film in the house of an ABKC qualified judge. | The investigation by the BBC's Panorama and Disclosure programmes also saw one journalist secretly film in the house of an ABKC qualified judge. |
| They found two 10-week-old puppies in a cage with freshly cropped ears. | They found two 10-week-old puppies in a cage with freshly cropped ears. |
| Panorama: Dogs, Dealers and Organised Crime and Disclosure: The Dog Dealers | Panorama: Dogs, Dealers and Organised Crime and Disclosure: The Dog Dealers |
| Disclosure: The Dog Dealers | Disclosure: The Dog Dealers |
| The ABKC dog show organiser Sean Main previously told the BBC there was nothing illegal about the show. | The ABKC dog show organiser Sean Main previously told the BBC there was nothing illegal about the show. |
| "It is not illegal for a dog with cropped ears to be imported into the country," he said. | "It is not illegal for a dog with cropped ears to be imported into the country," he said. |
| The Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill, which is currently going through Westminster, would prohibit the import of dogs with cropped ears. | The Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill, which is currently going through Westminster, would prohibit the import of dogs with cropped ears. |
| It has received cross-party support and backing from organisations including the RSPCA, Dogs Trust and British Veterinary Association. | It has received cross-party support and backing from organisations including the RSPCA, Dogs Trust and British Veterinary Association. |
| Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk | Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Manchester | Manchester |
| Dogs | Dogs |
| Coventry | Coventry |
| Animal welfare | Animal welfare |