Fifteen of the 225 dogs showing in the 2014 Westminster Kennel Club dog show agility contest are mixed-breed (also called all-American). Aesthetics is the most common reason for American Bully owners to get their dogs ears cropped. The United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada have also outlawed ear cropping. In fact, heres the thing: While there are no solid stats on this, its a safe bet that most ear crops, dewclaw removals and tail docks undertaken in this country are not performed by veterinarians. Ive worked with nearly 40 animal doctors during my career, and I know maybe two who perform crops, Roark says. AKC has. Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania and Washington State impose certain restrictions, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Cropping -- cutting off the floppy part of a dogs ear -- is usually performed on anesthetized dogs between 6 and 12 weeks old. To keep the lights on, we receive affiliate commissions via some of our links. This ear cropping surgery is now performed exclusively for cosmetic purposes, and the procedure is extremely painful for the dog. In 2008, the American Veterinary Medical Association adopted a policy opposing both ear cropping . It is still an acceptable practice in the United States, although there are now restrictions in some states. There's a fear that more and more dogs are being sent abroad for cropping, or being purchased and imported from overseas having already had the painful procedure. This means that all ear cropping is illegal unless a vet recommends it for medical reasons; no UK vet can perform ear cropping for cosmetic reasons. #accordion_pro_15601 .wpsm_panel-title > a:after, content: "\f067" !important; Well discuss why people do it, how its done, the after-effects of ear cropping, and all the pros and cons you need to know to have an informed opinion. How would you respond if your parents forced you to get an ear chopped merely because it looks good? is a question Id like to ask here. While some people use ear cropping and tail docking to make their dogs appear stronger and to portray a more aggressive appearance, that really isnt necessary. Following the procedure, Otis was scared of both his parents and strangers. The short crop is the most preferred crop style among American Bullies. Cropped ears are, wellcropped. At home, you will need to clean your Bullys wounded ear 2 to 3 times a day to prevent infections. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'pitbullshome_com-leader-1','ezslot_15',105,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pitbullshome_com-leader-1-0'); Breed standards for American Bullies include a certain weight, size, colors, and ear cropping, which can be optional but preferred for many shows. The battle crop is the smallest of the ear crop style. margin-bottom: 0px !important; People who are in favor of cropping American Bullys ears have many reasons for it. (Here's a past post on this and the AVMA's policy.). If youre getting your dog from a breeder, make sure they know before the dog is born if you dont want your puppy docked, Serpell says. #accordion_pro_15601 .wpsm_panel-title { Ear cropping was also done on fighting dogs who participated in bullfighting or bear fighting. Despite the international disagreement over the practice, both the Canadian and American Kennel Clubs encourage and may even require cropping for show dogs. [For Every State]Continue, American Bullies may transform from young pups into fully grown adults in just one year. Many countries, including the United Kingdom and Australia, ban this practice (as well as tail docking) because its thought to be purely cosmetic; thus, its considered animal cruelty to perform unnecessary surgery on an animal. about FindLaws newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy. margin-top: 0px !important; (Here's a past post on this and the AVMA's policy.). Copyright 2022, Thomson Reuters. Over the last year, there have been reports of a huge increase in the ear cropping of dogs. Studies show that dogs communicate emotions like anger and excitement by wagging their tails, so docking may interfere with your dogs ability to interact with other dogs, says Andy Roark, a veterinarian at Cleveland Park Animal Hospital in Greenville, S.C. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. overflow:hidden; Do you agree or disagree that these practices should be regulated by law? American Bully ear cropping is a surgical procedure, and therefore it needs a lot of care before, during, and after the process. Ear cropping and tail docking in dogs is an inhumane procedure that serves no purpose other than changing the appearance of a dog. While a handful of U.S. states do have rules about ear cropping, there are no states that have an outright ban. Tail docking is the removal of part of a dogs tail. Regularly check for signs of infections and make sure you have regularly scheduled vet visits to ensure your American Bully is always healthy. Every Bully Owner Should Know ThisContinue, They are friendly and affectionate, but they are also very protective of their families. The practice of ear cropping should be stopped and rules regulating such barbaric practices should be implemented. I mean, after reading what the states who regulate these procedures have to say, am I the only one who wonders about all the other states? Cropped ears or uncropped ears? Massachusetts forbids ear cropping except when performed by a licensed vet. Terms of Use Ear cropping of dogs is a prohibited surgical operation in all European states that have ratified the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals (Council of Europe 1987). #accordion_pro_15601 .wpsm_panel-title > a > .ac_title_img_icon{ Otis, a Cane Corso, had his ear and tail trimmed shortly after his pet parents got him. Thats because there is none. After the mutilation, sutures are used to close the cropped portion of the ear. As we have quickly mentioned before, there are many types or styles of ear crops for American Bullies. People For The Ethical Treatment Of Animals (PETA), cite its cruelty, arguing that in most cases ear cropping is cosmetic, while the American Kennel Club (AKC) states that it preserves breed character. In November 2008, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) revised its policy to oppose cosmetic-related ear cropping, and urged the AKC to remove it from their breeding standards.. } Make sure to research veterinarians in your area and choose one that has previous experience with ear cropping. background:#1e73be !important; VOTE NOW Watch on [18] The American Kennel Club(AKC) and Canadian Kennel Clubboth permit the practice. (it will mean a lot to us ), If youre an American Bully owner, you probably know they can change from being adorable little furry creatures to becoming big adults who are a mess in an instant. The vet may need to check and replace these bandages periodically to ensure proper healing. Start-Up Grants for Non-Profit Animal Rescue. Most state laws either disregard these issues entirely or offer simple restrictions that hint at the unseen reality of how most of our pets unwanted bits are treated. You have entered an incorrect email address! Ear cropping is illegal in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Slovak Republic, and parts of Europe. Make sure your American Bully gets a healthy diet during the time after the procedure to help their body heal faster. These procedures cause pain and distress and, as with all surgical procedures, are accompanied by inherent risks of anesthesia, blood loss, and infection. #accordion_pro_15601 .wpsm_panel{ Ear cropping is illegal in England and Wales, under Section 5 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, the RSPCA reports. /* css files */ } box-shadow:none !important; And because their ear is still soft, ear cropping on it is normally done when the dog is still a puppy. border-radius: 0px !important; Infection is always a risk with any medical procedure. margin-left: 0 !important; box-shadow: none !important; It has also been signed by Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Luxembourg and Portugal, although with reservations often relating to medical exceptions. (CVBC) has voted to ban the cosmetic procedure of ear cropping this week and thus join several other provinces in trying to end the practice they say causes . Most often its done for perceived health benefits and cosmetic reasons like making the dog appear stronger or more aggressive. It is legal in the United States, although several states have repeatedly tried to outlaw ear cropping (and tail docking). Washington: It states that it prohibits ear cropping except when its considered a customary husbandry practice., Declawing a cat requires that the first knuckle of each digit be amputated so as to remove the entirety of the claw. Is it compassionate to advocate animal rights when your dogs ears are cropped? } They state that if a dog's ears have been removed, it can be more difficult to know how the animal is feeling. The main reason American Bullies got their ears cropped in the past was to give them an advantage during fighting and hunting. And theyll post it on social media sites like Instagram, which contributes to the publics perception that such behavior is normal. Now, thats a picture worth a whole lot of words one Im hoping well one day put into laws thatll actually protect our pets welfare. Whether you need to fix, build, create or learn, eHow gives you practical solutions to the problems life throws at you. It has increased by 600 percent, according to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA). Be sure to check the laws in your state and talk to your vet about how they will affect your decisions on dog ear cropping and tail docking. In fact, American Bullies are one of the most expensive non-designer dogs, Read More Why Are American Bullies So Expensive? Rather, they suck because in their embarrassing degree of equivocation and side-stepping, they testify to the presence of an insidious streak of animal treatment most of us either deny or simply dont think about. } The most common reason for cropping and docking is to give a dog a certain look. As with all surgical procedures, it is also accompanied by inherent risks of anesthesia, blood loss, and infection, while providing no welfare or medical benefit to the animal. We explore this topic and give you the information you need to make an informed decision for your pup. The cost can vary from one veterinarian to another. font-family:Arial !important; Since American Bullies are already very muscular and strong-looking, owners believe that the cropped ear look adds to the menacing aesthetic of the dog. The surgery has risks, including the use of general anesthesia and post-surgery complications. will no longer be able to get their animals' ears cropped by vets, after the College of Veterinarians of B.C. All in all, statistics show that around 130,000 pups are cropped annually in the United States. font-family: FontAwesome !important; Theres no reason to defend these practices. Ads are what helps us bring you premium content! If youre looking for a protective breed to help keep your home and family safe, consider one of the best guard dogs for families as your next pup. In countries like the United States, ear cropping has been on the decline, . display:block; Ear cropping . text-decoration:none !important; Where is Ear Cropping Illegal? The dog must also wear a bandage in his ear at all times during the healing process to maintain the upright aesthetic ear position when the bandage is removed. Patterson-Kane doesnt support the procedure herself. A dogs ears contain many muscles that enable them to detect and retain sounds, which is an essential aspect of their senses. reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Ear croppings are not beneficial, contrary to popular belief. [The Real Reasons]Continue. After everything you have read about the process of ear cropping and the reason people have to do it, you need to come to that decision for yourself. line-height: 26px !important; Your dog will probably need a follow-up visit about a week after surgery to have the stitches (if used) removed. border-radius: 0px !important; This practice has persisted to the present day, with most ear cropping performed on specific dog breeds for cosmetic reasons rather than bullfighting or defense against wolves. RSPCA inspector Herchy Boal says: "Dogs should never be mutilated for cosmetic purposes . Connecticut, Maryland, New Hampshire, New York and Pennsylvania: These states explicitly prohibit ear cropping except when performed under anesthesia by a licensed veterinarian. It is longer than the battle crop, which might cause an infection in the dogs ear. The Canadian Kennel Club authorises the exhibition of uncropped dogs in shows, but according to the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS), ear cropping remains largely in practice. Your dog might have stitches in their ears after the cropping procedure. Not one will give you a straight answer regarding the legality of tail docking, ear cropping, declawing and other surgical procedures deemed medically unnecessary by the American Veterinary Medical Association, Ear cropping is a cosmetic procedure whereby the ear flaps are vertically incised to allow them to stand upright. Baby boy Enzo getting distracted with #cetchews at #sunsetanimalclinic during his #fearfree visit. #accordion_pro_15601 .wpsm_panel-body{ #accordion_pro_15601 .wpsm_panel-title > a > i{ Breed standard is the most oft-cited reason for docking. The best way to discourage cruel mutilations is to make it illegal to perform, . This type of ear cropping dog involves removing two-thirds of the dogs ear and leaving only one-third. Here are a few examples of those states' laws: Even if your state is not among those that have specifically regulated cropping, it is highly recommended to take your dog to a vet for the procedure. Ear cropping dogs can cause psychological stress and PTSD in dogs, in addition to communication and hearing issues. #accordion_pro_15601 .wpsm_panel-title a{ This was due to the ear being a sensitive, susceptible, and easy target for the opposing animal to bite, grip, and tear. } The first way consists of constricting the blood flow to the tail with a rubber ligature until the tail falls off, which can take a few days. It is frequently performed on dogs while they are still puppies (8 weeks), and the recovery period is severe. In the United States, no state has officially prohibited ear cropping. Its time to compare the two opposing opinions. #accordion_pro_15601 .wpsm_panel { The AVMA has also documented the cosmetic surgery laws currently adhered to in the United States . She has a Bachelor of Science (with honors) in sociology from the London School of Economics and Political Science. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, there is no real evidence that ear cropping prevents ear infections in dogs. background: #ffffff !important; width: 18px !important; This surgery requires general anesthesia and good follow up care to ensure the dog's ear stand up properly. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) reported that there has been a 600% increase in ear cropping. Nowadays, even though American Bullies are treated as house pets, and they are one of the friendliest dogs you can have around you and your family, people still want them to maintain the intimidating aesthetic by cropping their ears.