The Dutch authorities condemn the possession of pets suffering from genetic mutations. The latter gives them a “cute” appearance, but also causes them suffering.
A touching appearance, but the cause of many ailments. The Dutch government said on Friday it wants to ban the ownership of pets with genetic mutations that give them a “cute” appearance, including flat-nosed dogs.
This tendency causes headaches, arthritis and respiratory problems for the animals in question.
“These cats are in constant pain”
“When choosing a pet, people often choose features that they find cute, such as dogs with short muzzles or cats with folded ears,” the Department of Agriculture said in a statement.
“Not all dogs with short noses suffer, but a short muzzle increases the risk (of suffering),” the statement said.
“There is scientific evidence that these cats are in constant pain because they have a cartilage defect caused by a specific gene.”
In particular, genetic mutations can cause respiratory problems or arthritis in the animals concerned. The ministry therefore states that it wants to “reduce the demand for animals with harmful external characteristics”, and points to the responsibility of the social networks in this state.
A “big step” for animal protection
“Their owners have the best intentions but are often unaware of the dark side” of these animals and their suffering due to these characteristics, continues the ministry, which states that “dogs with too short a muzzle, for example, are constantly out . breath”.
According to recent studies, this is the case with animals such as French and English bulldogs.
“Dogs with an abnormal skull shape can have constant headaches,” added Agriculture Minister Piet Adema in a letter to parliament on Friday.
“We make life miserable for innocent animals only because we think they are ‘beautiful’ and ‘cute’,” summarizes Piet Adema. According to him, the Netherlands will take a “big step” by deciding that “no pet should suffer from its appearance”.
The list of animals in question that are still under investigation
The list of animals whose possession the government wants to ban has not yet been determined. A list of physical characteristics that can be objectively determined to cause permanent suffering is under consideration, the ministry said. “How can you objectively demonstrate that an animal suffers from its appearance?”, the question will be complex, the ministry acknowledges.
In the Netherlands, it has already been banned since 2014 to breed animals that have problems related to their physical appearance. Rules have also been in place since 2019 regarding the breeding of dogs with short muzzles: those whose muzzles are less than half of their skull can no longer be bred. But illegal trade in these animals still takes place.
Piet Adema wants a ban on the possession of animals that suffer from their physical appearance, as well as the publication of their images in advertisements or social networks.
However, any ban will be followed by a transition period where the owners of the animal in question can keep it until its death.