Mr. Tim Kirby:

Yes, 20 or 25 years ago the procedure was performed more commonly. With public awareness and education the practice was no longer justifiable. As I said, there was no logical or biological reason for the procedure, and that was a huge driver in making people accept and realise that there was no practical purpose to continuing the practice. However, in more recent times, particularly just pre-Covid, the practice re-emerged. It fits in with all of the desired aesthetics. Many of these dogs are now bred purely for their looks and there is no other logical reason for them. This fits in with the idea that dogs with short ears that are not floppy are deemed to be more attractive. These animals are just clickbait and people use them to increase their profile on social media. As sad as that sounds, there is an animal welfare consequence and that applies to these dogs as well.

Can we convey the message to people that the practice is abnormal? Like what happens with a lot of these animal health and welfare issues, people can stop the practice by voting with their feet and saying that the look is abnormal and unacceptable. I think that is where the real change will happen.