color:#ffffff !important; It is a medical procedure in which the dogs ear is surgically removed using surgical scissors. vertical-align: middle !important; When pet owners enter the Pitbull world, they may not even be sure of what a Pitbull's ears look like normally, as it is a popular trend to crop the dog's ears. 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. When such procedures are carried out, it leads to several difficulties, including infections and communication issues in the future. Based in London, Ann Duncan has been writing online since October 2009. That means it poses unnecessary risks, Patterson-Kane says. Infection is always a risk with any medical procedure. Where is Ear Cropping Illegal? American Bully ear cropping is a surgical procedure, and therefore it needs a lot of care before, during, and after the process. 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.. Ear cropping . Cropping has only been controlled in eight states, according to the AVMA. Well, that is the million-dollar question, isnt it? color:#000000 !important; Despite the significant pain it elicits, declawing all four paws remains a relatively common practice in the US. The eight states with controlled ear cropping laws include Pennsylvania, Washington, New York, Virginia, and Massachusetts Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. Niagara SPCA investigators have charged a woman with animal cruelty after they say they uncovered a plan to crop the ears on 10 to 15 puppies at a home on Cottage Street in Lockport. We got this information from the AVMA (American Veterinarian Medical Association), which was last updated in 2019. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, there is no real evidence that ear cropping prevents ear infections in dogs. Celebrities are mostly responsible for the dramatic spike in-ear cropping. text-decoration: none !important; This is similar to when humans get surgery. Ear cropping is illegal in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Slovak Republic, and parts of Europe. Score: 4.9/5 (47 votes) . The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is a strong opponent of dog tail docking (and dog ear cropping) due to the risks associated with the procedure, which include: Neuromas, or nerve tumors, can develop and cause pain and make your dog irritable if their tail is touched. #accordion_pro_15601 .wpsm_panel-title > a.collapsed{ Scientific research shows that at least 80% of dogs wont get ear infections, and the breeds that are most likely to get them, such as cocker spaniels and poodles, dont get their ears docked, says Emily Patterson-Kane, PhD, an animal welfare scientist at the AVMA. Not only because veterinarians are increasingly principled about performing unnecessary cosmetic procedures (though its true that we are), but also because we veterinarians are expensive. Furthermore, ear cropping is only done on pups; it is never done on adults. Cropping -- cutting off the floppy part of a dogs ear -- is usually performed on anesthetized dogs between 6 and 12 weeks old. Photo: Adobe Stock / DuskoEar-cropping causes pain and distress to dogs. Not that Im holding my breath or nothin' . The space your dog is in should be kept clean, dry, and free of urine and feces. Difference Between Male & Female of the Common What Are the Causes of Dark Spots on Greyhounds? Ear cropping and tail docking are prohibited in most European countries, as well as the United Kingdom and Australia. The AVMA has also documented the cosmetic surgery laws currently adhered to in the United States . Fifteen of the 225 dogs showing in the 2014 Westminster Kennel Club dog show agility contest are mixed-breed (also called all-American). However, no data support the idea that cropping a dogs ears improves its health or hearing. 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. line-height:1.5 !important; Cropping has only been controlled in eight states, according to the AVMA. } All in all, statistics show that around 130,000 pups are cropped annually in the United States. Whats more, its also a safe bet that the animals who undergo these procedures are not being treated according to the high veterinary standards of care you might envision in your minds eye when you buy that pet shop Min-Pin. While the AKC recognizes ear cropping and tail docking as acceptable practices integral to defining and preserving breed character, enhancing good health, and preventing injuries, many vets and animal rights advocates dont agree. Ear cropping and tail docking are common today, but are these practices necessary or merely cosmetic? This sci-fi thriller for mature readers imagines a not-so-distant futurea world of . font-family:Arial !important; color: #000000 !important; As many fanciers are now aware, officials in West Hollywood, California recently proposed a city ordinance that would ban ear cropping, tail docking and other non-therapeutic measures. 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. It is still legal in most of North America. The AKC recognizes 20 breeds with cropped ears. Ear cropping is illegal in the UK under the Animal Welfare Act unless it is carried out for medical reasons. Ear Cropping and Tail Docking: Should or Shouldnt You. Following the procedure, Otis was scared of both his parents and strangers. line-height:16px !important; Ear cropping dogs can cause psychological stress and PTSD in dogs, in addition to communication and hearing issues. Its illegal to crop a dogs ears in Connecticut, Maryland, New Hampshire, New York, and Pennsylvania unless done by a licensed vet while the dog is under anesthetic. They were also cropped for fighting dog breeds since it was a target of attack for the opposing animal. According to Tier 1 Veterinary Medical Center, this procedure can involve the surgical removal of most to all of the flappy portion of the ear. In 2008, the American Veterinary Medical Association adopted a policy opposing both ear cropping . 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. 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. When Will My American Bully Fill Out? /* css files */ Docking (in relation to the tail of a dog) means the amputation, removal or shortening of the tail, other than the shortening of the tail hairs. 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. Dockings usually performed by a veterinarian or breeder without anesthesia, the rationale being that although it certainly causes pain, the puppy isnt fully alert yet and wont remember it, says Emily Patterson-Kane, PhD, an animal welfare scientist at the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Because lets face it, reasons like bullfighting, bear fighting, and having to defend against rats and wolves are no longer relevant in this day and age. The real question Id like to pose here is whether you, as a pet parent, would allow your dog to undergo such procedures simply to look better, even if the procedure does nothing to improve the dogs overall health and serves only the beauty purpose? In guardian dog breeds, ear cropping was often carried out due to the belief that an erect ear was better capable of detecting sounds compared to a floppy ear. But is that enough for, Read More Can American Bullies Run? The American Kennel Club (AKC), on the other hand, states that ear cropping, tail docking, and dewclaw removal are all acceptable procedures to define and preserve 'breed character' or for enhancing good health. Cat Piercing for Goth Look is Animal Cruelty, 5 Animals You Can't Keep as Pets (With Some Exceptions). They stand up straight and give the American Bully an intimidating, menacing look. Contact | Privacy Policy| Terms of Use | Disclosure, Contact James Serpell, PhD, professor of ethics and animal welfare, and director, Center for the Interaction of Animals and Society, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia. Someone call PETA, cause this definitely counts as animal cruelty! border-radius: 0px !important; Both the pet parents and other canines, including the dog whose ears were cropped, face long-term and short-term problems as a result of the removal of such an important part of the body. #accordion_pro_15601 .wpsm_panel-title a, #accordion_pro_15601 .wpsm_panel-title a:hover, #accordion_pro_15601 .wpsm_panel-title a.collapsed, #accordion_pro_15601 .wpsm_panel-title a.collapsed:hover { Since 1898, dogs with cropped ears have been ineligible to compete in shows in the United Kingdom under kennel club rules. Unlike many other countries, the U.S. government has not passed any law regulating the practice of cropping a dog's ears. But, unless you are competing in a dog show or other event that requires these appearance standards, this isnt necessary. The American Veterinary Medical Association states that "ear-cropping and tail-docking are not medically indicated nor of benefit to the patient. The eight states with controlled ear cropping laws include Pennsylvania, Washington, New York, Virginia, and Massachusetts Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. If you love animals you should be. The unnecessary mutilation of a crucial part of the dogs anatomy is the most distressing aspect of ear cropping. Its shorter than the show crop and will give your dog a more erect ear. Despite this fact, the AKC (American Kennel . So, mutilating a body part of the dog can cause an extreme effect on their social life in the future. Ear cropping refers to the procedure of trimming an animal's ear. Andy Roark, DVM, Cleveland Park Animal Hospital, Greenville, S.C. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. However, current legislation could change the rules in some states. Such acts of cruelty can cause the dog unnecessary and unwelcome long-term chronic agony, therefore it should be prohibited. Austria, Cyprus, Greece, Lithuania, Sweden, Bulgaria, Romania and Switzerland have signed and ratified the Convention without reservations. Maryland: This is the only state that requires a veterinary license and a reason before lopping off a pets tail. Ear cropping is common in Great Danes, Dobermans and Boxers. #accordion_pro_15601 .wpsm_panel-title > a > .ac_title_img_icon{ (Here's a past post on this and a link to AVMA's policy.). Whether you need to fix, build, create or learn, eHow gives you practical solutions to the problems life throws at you. padding-top: 0px !important; Ear cropping is illegal in England and Wales, under Section 5 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, the RSPCA reports. 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. 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