Disney, Pixar and Warner Bros accused of 'normalising' procedure that leaves dogs 'horrifically mutilated' by featuring disfigured animals in films like Up and DC's League of Super Pets - as MPs make a fresh bid to crack down on puppy smuggling

Disney, its animation subsidiary Pixar and fellow film giant Warner Brothers have been accused of 'normalising' the mutilation of dogs by featuring disfigured animals in films. 

MP and vet Dr Neil Hudson took aim at films such as Up and DC's League of Super Pets for featuring dogs with cropped ears.

The procedure that is illegal in England and Wales but cropped dogs can still be imported from countries where it is legal, including the US.

The procedure has become more popular, with celebrities including Kendall Jenner owning Dobermans with ears that have been cut away so they stand up straight. 

Pixar's Up features a Doberman called Alpha with cropped - or docked - ears that stick up tall instead of flapping down naturally.  Additionally, Super Pets features a dog called Ace, voiced by Kevin Hart, who is a crop-eared sidekick to Batman.

The criticism came as MPs debated a fresh bid to crack down on puppy smuggling. Tory MP Selaine Saxby's proposed legislation would ban cropped dogs from being brought into the UK.

DC's League of Super Pets features a dog called Ace, voiced by Kevin Hart, who is a crop-eared sidekick to Batman.

The procedure has become more popular, with celebrities including Kendall Jenner owning Dobermans with ears that have been cut away so they stand up straight.

Dobermans have naturally floppy ears

Dr Hudson, the MP for Penrith and The Border, said: 'We've got to have a look at popular culture as well, if you look at the popular animated films - one of my favourite films that I watch with my children was the Disney Pixar film Up, which we all absolutely love.

'But if you look really closely at the dogs in that film, many of them are cropped. And so if people are going to the cinema with their kids, and seeing this on the big screen, that looks normal and that is wrong.

'Equally so, in the last couple of years there was another hugely successful animated film, The Super Pets film, again the lead character was an ear-cropped dog.

'Now a lot of people then, in our country, they love their animals but they don't realise that ear cropping is not normal and so they want to have those dogs, and unfortunately there is a popular culture, a celebrity culture, as well.

'So we need to educate people that these dogs have been horrifically mutilated. So this law, when it comes in, will really close that loophole down.'

The Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill went before MPs this morning. The Government is set to throw its support behind the measures, it is understood. 

It aims to ban dogs and cats under six months from being brought into the UK. It would also prohibit the importation of heavily pregnant animals.

The proposals, which come in a private member's bill, will also limit the number of pets a person can travel with.

It comes after the Government came under pressure from Tory MPs following the decision to scrap its own planned legislation last May.

The Bill had been expected to have cracked down on puppy smuggling, banned live animal exports for fattening and slaughter, and helped to tackle pet abduction and livestock worrying, among other changes.

Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt said last year her colleagues 'should be reassured' that the Government still plans to fulfil its pledges.

Ms Saxby today urged the Government to crack down on puppy, kitten and ferret smuggling by closing loopholes which are exploited by 'unscrupulous' commercial traders.

Opening the second reading debate, Ms Saxby said: 'As a dog owner myself, it is horrific to hear stories of puppies and kittens being smuggled across the border and the poor conditions they have to endure.

'Pets are more than just property they are family, and the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill will ensure that pets are not sold or traded as objects.'