Unfortunately we have noticed a recent increase in the number of dogs being presented to the surgery with cropped ears, all of them being the ‘American Bully’ breed. Ear cropping is illegal in the UK under the animal welfare act 2006 (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/45/section/5) and at South Moor Vets we consider it to be an act of mutilation that is performed for purely cosmetic reasons. It is also most likely being performed without pain relief or anaesthesia. As such we do not wish to legitimise or encourage the practice and so we have decided to withdraw our veterinary services from the owners and breeders of these dogs. We will continue to provide emergency first aid and pain relief or euthanasia if required but will not be offering routine veterinary care or assistance with breeding or caesarean sections for these dogs. We will continue see American Bully dogs that have not had their ears cropped and hope that with education and publicity ear cropping will disappear from our area as quickly as it has appeared.
If you are aware of anyone who is involved in the cropping of dogs’ ears they can be reported anonymously to the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.
