On 1 November, a ban on the breeding, sale or other transfer or display of animals that have undergone veterinary procedures to alter their appearance or physiological functions came into force.

Amendments to the Law on the Welfare and Protection of Animals were adopted by the Seimas in September of this year.

The law, which has now entered into force, refers to veterinary procedures such as „shortening of ears, beards, scalps, beaks, tails, breaking or removal of vocal cords, horns, claws, wings, hooves and fangs, plucking or removal of feathers by any other means“.

Exceptions include the castration of animals or procedures carried out on the basis of a veterinarian's written decision for the health of the animal.

By the way, the new provisions of the law will not apply to pets that have undergone veterinary procedures to alter their appearance or physiological functions before 1 January 2013.

The amendments were initiated by Ieva Pakarklytė, a member of the Freedom Group in the Seimas.

It is hoped that the new provisions of the law will help to reduce the incentive for breeders, sellers and owners to brutalise animals by cutting off their limbs.

On 12 September this year, 80 members of the Seimas voted in favour of the amendments to the Law on the Welfare and Protection of Animals, 13 voted against and 15 abstained.