Charity calls for crackdown on dog ear cropping in Wiltshire and Hampshire
More than 1,100 incidents have been reported across the country
People in Wiltshire and Hampshire are being urged to help crack down on the illegal cropping of dog ears after new figures were revealed.
The research, from the RSPCA, shows there have been 31 incidents of the illegal procedure reported across the two counties in the last three years.
As part of the Cancel Out Cruelty campaign, the charity's sharing the figures to raise awareness of the problem to try and crack down on it for good.
Billie-jade Thomas, from the RSPCA, says ear cropping can have a huge impact on how dogs can communicate.
"Ears are very important for a dog in terms of communicating, expressing how they feel so having their ears cropped stops them from being able to do so and express normal behaviours," she said.
"Dogs that have had this procedure done to them, not only can the wounds become infected, but the dog's experience to long-term trauma mentally from having been abused at young ages because it's usually something that happens to puppies.
"It's brutal mutilation which has no benefit for dogs whatsoever. Unfortunately over the last few years, we have seen it become a trend again."
The tip of the iceberg
The RSPCA's warning there's been over 1,100 cases of dogs having their ears cropped across England and Wales in the past three years, but it's feared many more are going unnoticed.
And the charity wants us to write to MPs to bring urgent change to this trend.
Ian Muttitt, chief inspector in the RSPCA’s Special Operations Unit - which investigates ear cropping - said the team have seen “horrific” DIY ear cropping kits at homes of people who carry out the cruel practice.
“The idea of a person cutting off a dog’s ears with a pair of scissors and no pain relief or anaesthetic is stomach-churning - but that is exactly what they do.
"And it is even more sickening to know that they are only doing this because they think it will make the dog look ‘tough’ or they can sell the dog for more money."
Which counties saw the most incidents?
- West Midlands: 93
- Greater London: 75
- West Yorkshire: 75
- Greater Manchester: 64
- South Yorkshire: 53
Mr Muttitt believes the after effects of the procedure is having a negative effect.
“They are at a high risk of infection and discomfort - what’s trendy or fashionable about that? Absolutely nothing,” he said.
“It’s done purely for cosmetic purposes and sadly can lead to puppies being sold for much more money.
"We’d urge the public and anyone looking to buy a puppy to remember that this is an illegal procedure which has hugely negative impacts for the dogs themselves.”