West Midlands is a hotspot for illegal dog ear cropping
There have been 93 incidents in the region so far this year
Last updated 22nd Aug 2023
More than 1,100 dogs are reported to have undergone a cruel and unnecessary procedure of having their ears cropped in the last three years across the UK, new figures from the RSPCA shows.
The West Midlands has the highest number of incidents, with 93 dogs having their ears cropped so far this year.
The animal welfare charity RSPCA has launched a new campaign 'Cancel Out Cruelty' to raise awareness about how to stop cruelty to animals for good, and to highlight the barbaric procedure which, in many cases, is carried out illegally in the UK.
Shockingly, these figures are likely to be an under representation of the actual number of dogs who are having their ears cropped as not all cases are reported to the RSPCA.
Dr Samantha Gaines, dog welfare expert at the RSPCA, said: “Ear cropping is a painful and unnecessary practice in which a dogs’ 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.”
Despite it being illegal in the UK, there are social media accounts which promote the practice.
Samantha added: “We don’t want this cruel procedure - which is essentially dogs being mutilated for money - to be normalised. We are concerned that it is a growing fashion trend and it needs to be stopped.”
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.
He said: “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.
"We have seen dogs who have suffered because of the after effects of this cruel procedure. They are at a high risk of infection and discomfort - what’s trendy or fashionable about that? Absolutely nothing.
“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.”