New figures have shown London is a hotspot for people chopping their dog’s ears in a process that has been slammed as “cruel” by the RSPCA.
The animal charity has said there were 75 known cases of the mutilation in the capital in the past year, a figure second only to the West Midlands — where there were a known 93 cases.
Ear cropping is illegal in the UK and harmful to animals but the number could be much higher with many cases unknown to the RSPCA.
Dr Samantha Gains, of the RSPCA, said: “We don’t want this cruel procedure to be normalised. We are concerned that it is a growing fashion trend and it needs to be stopped.”
Please retweet, ear cropping is illegal in the UK.
— Animal Adoptions UK 🐕🦺🐈🐎❤️ (@AdoptionsUk) August 12, 2023
The maximum sentence for cruelty to animals in the UK is now 5 years in prison.
Report anyone cropping ears, or arranging for it to be done to the RSPCA or SSPCA ✅
Info👇https://t.co/v2gyaC6yyn… #dogs #Bulldogs #puppies pic.twitter.com/74xJWOtbYC
What is ear cropping?
Ear cropping is the process of cutting back a dog’s ears, a procedure the RSPCA has said can be done “for money” by some breeders looking to sell on dogs for a profit.
It can be done with just a pair of scissors and without giving the animal any pain relief.
The RSPCA said 1,191 were found in England and Wales as a whole.
The trend is more common among robust breeds of dog, such as the Cane Corsos and American bullies.
⚠️Upsetting Images⚠️
— RSPCA (England & Wales) (@RSPCA_official) August 17, 2023
🩹🐕 It’s taken Riga 15 long months to recover from an illegal ear-cropping procedure which left him in lots of pain, but this brave boy is finally ready to find his furever home 🏡
➡️ Read his story and register your interest here: https://t.co/h72gj7bD4q pic.twitter.com/Zq8yHqBkv0
Why do people do it?
There is no benefit to the dog other than that it can make the animal look imposing.
Dr Gains added: “Ear cropping is a painful and unnecessary practice in which a dog’s ears are removed or surgically altered and sadly many owners who do this do it because they think the look is glamorous or it makes their pet look tough.
“But it can be detrimental, in the short and long term, to their health, behaviour, and welfare — they do not benefit from having it done, and the way it is illegally carried out in the UK — by people who are not vet professionals — is highly likely to lead them to suffer.”
Riga’s story
In just one example Riga, a bull-type dog, was left to suffer for several days after his owner allowed the illegal practice to be carried out and then failed to seek veterinary care.
He was seized from a property in the Greater Manchester area in April 2021 and taken into RSPCA care, the charity said. From there, he spent nearly 15 months of rehabilitation and last month was considered ready for fostering.
“He’s a really friendly boy and seems to be completely unaffected by the trauma and suffering he endured at such an early age,” said Luka Atkinson, deputy manager of the RSCPA’s Durham centre, where Riga was cared for.
“Even though he’s missing large parts of both ears, it doesn't impede him and he’s got quite an infectious zest for life. He’s excellent with other dogs, too, and has made friends with several canine companions since he’s been here.”
Riga's owner was jailed for 23 weeks and given a 15-year ban on keeping animals after admitting allowing Riga’s ears to be illegally cropped.
