<P> Today, many countries ban cropping and docking because they consider the practices unnecessary, painful, cruel or mutilation . In Europe, the cropping of ears is prohibited in all countries that have ratified the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals . Some countries that ratified the convention made exceptions for tail docking . </P> <P> Show dogs are no longer docked in the United Kingdom . A dog docked before 28 March 2007 in Wales and 6 April 2007 in England may continue to be shown at all shows in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland throughout its life . A dog docked on, or after, the above dates, regardless of where it was docked, may not be shown at shows in England and Wales where the public is charged a fee for admission . Where a working dog has been docked in England and Wales under the respective regulations, however, it may be shown where the public is charged a fee, so long as it is shown "only to demonstrate its working ability". It will thus be necessary to show working dogs in such a way as to demonstrate their working ability and not conformity to a standard . A dog legally docked in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, or abroad may be shown at any show in Scotland or Northern Ireland . </P> <P> In England and Wales, ear cropping is illegal, and no dog with cropped ears can take part in any Kennel Club event (including agility and other non-conformation events). Tail docking is also illegal, except for a few working breeds; this exemption applies only when carried out by a registered veterinary surgeon . </P> <P> The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), the regulatory body for veterinary surgeons in the United Kingdom, has stated they consider tail docking to be "an unjustified mutilation and unethical unless done for therapeutic or acceptable prophylactic reasons". In 1995 a veterinary surgeon was brought before the RCVS disciplinary council for "disgraceful professional conduct" for carrying out cosmetic docking . The surgeon claimed that the docking was performed to prevent future injuries, and the case was dismissed for lack of evidence otherwise . Although cosmetic docking is still considered unacceptable by the RCVS, no further disciplinary action has been taken against vets performing docking . </P>

Is it illegal to crop a doberman's ears in the uk