If you love animals you should be. Otis, a Cane Corso, had his ear and tail trimmed shortly after his pet parents got him. Contact | Privacy Policy| Terms of Use | Disclosure, Contact Doberman with uncropped ears #accordion_pro_15601 .wpsm_panel{ Because dogs use their ears to communicate, ear cropping can lead to communication and social problem. By clicking Subscribe, I agree to the WebMD, Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Bird Flu Deaths Prompt U.S. to Test Vaccine in Poultry, COVID Treatment in Development Appears Promising, Marriage May Help Keep Your Blood Sugar in Check, Getting Outdoors Might Help You Take Fewer Meds, New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, MINOCA: The Heart Attack You Didnt See Coming, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox, The Best Dog Breed for Your Health and Personality, The Best Dog Breed for Families and Children, Dog DNA Tests: Why Your Mutts Makeup Matters. Ear cropping and tail docking in dogs is an inhumane procedure that serves no purpose other than changing the appearance of a dog. #accordion_pro_15601 .wpsm_panel-heading{ Some claims suggest that it can minimize ear infections and improve hearing. Nowadays, most people dont take their American Bully on hunting trips, but a lot of people enter their dogs into dog shows. Ear cropping is an elective surgery currently implemented in approximately 20 dog breeds, including Dobermans, Great Danes, Boxers and more. The space your dog is in should be kept clean, dry, and free of urine and feces. James Serpell, PhD, director of the Center for the Interaction of Animals and Society at the University of Pennsylvania, argues that docking itself could be considered an injury. color:#ffffff !important; In 2007, the UK Kennel Club banned dogs with cropped ears from participating in dog shows. Its no longer unusual to see schnauzers without cropped ears and boxers with long tails, Roark says. Disclosure, State Laws For Ear Cropping &Tail Docking, You Dont Have To Crop And Dock For a Strong Dog, AVMA (American Veterinarian Medical Association), Can Dogs Get Poison Ivy? Massachusetts forbids ear cropping except when performed by a licensed vet. ACS says while ear cropping isn't illegal, it is illegal in Texas for a non-licensed veterinarian to perform the procedure. Most commonly performed on puppies aged between four and six months, it involves removing two thirds of the ear under anesthetic. But they are highly controversial. While a handful of U.S. states do have rules about ear cropping, there are no states that have an outright ban. Ear cropping is reported to have started as a German tradition for no other purpose than to make the dog appear fierce. #accordion_pro_15601 .wpsm_panel-title > a.collapsed{ Vets say both procedures -- especially ear cropping -- are becoming less common. For many pet owners, "cropping" or surgically snipping a dog's ears can be a big decision. Well , 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. font-size: 18px !important; Massachusetts prohibits ear cropping except when executed by a licensed veterinarian, and Washington prohibits ear cropping except when it is considered a customary husbandry practice. Ear cropping is regulated in parts of the United States. 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. font-size:16px !important; Ear cropping was also done on fighting dogs who participated in bullfighting or bear fighting. #accordion_pro_15601 .wpsm_panel-title > a:after, 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. For those not familiar with these terms, ear cropping consists of cutting off up to about two/thirds of the dog's ears when the puppy is between the age of 9 to 12 weeks old. For many, this is the small fragments of an ear left after ear cropping. [For Every State]Continue, American Bullies may transform from young pups into fully grown adults in just one year. Animal torture is illegal in Illinois (includes both ear cropping & tail docking) but has an exception for altering an animal done under the direction of a licensed vet. 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. Andy Roark, DVM, Cleveland Park Animal Hospital, Greenville, S.C. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. These procedures seem archaic to some, but its still considered the norm for certain dog breeds. 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. General anesthesia is also typical, and the procedure removes about two-thirds of the ear (the external ear flap) and many nerve endings. Such a traumatic experience sticks with him for the rest of his life. box-shadow:none !important; Your American Bullys cropped ear will need special care throughout their lives to make sure their ears do not get infected. Is it compassionate to advocate animal rights when your dogs ears are cropped? Laws on Docking, Cropping and Declawing and Why They Suck. color:#ffffff !important; background:#1e73be !important; Maryland: MD takes it one step further. Many vets will also refuse to do ear cropping surgeries unless its medically required for the Bully. The states whose animal welfare laws have been either created or amended to help regulate how and when pets should undergo medically unnecessary procedures, if at all, are to be commended. It is legal in the United States, although several states have repeatedly tried to outlaw ear cropping (and tail docking). It does not prevent ear infections or improve a dogs balance. While its illegal in most of the Western world, its only regulated in nine US states. line-height:1.5 !important; Start-Up Grants for Non-Profit Animal Rescue. Ear cropping is illegal in England and Wales, unless it is carried out for medical reasons, under Section 5 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, and punishment is about to get more severe. } 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. 41 states do not have any laws. Cat Piercing for Goth Look is Animal Cruelty, 5 Animals You Can't Keep as Pets (With Some Exceptions). Ear-cropping causes pain and distress to dogs. The most upsetting impact of ear-cropping of dogs for the sake of appearing better is the unneeded mutilation of a vital part of the body. Dog Tattoos Controversial, but Are They Legal? So does that mean that in all forty-eight, forty-one, and forty-five other states (respectively) you can slice and dice your own dogs tails, ears and throats? Ear Cropping and Tail Docking: Should or Shouldnt You. Like the dog tail, the ear is an important part of a dogs communication system. In the United States, no state has officially prohibited ear cropping. 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. She has a Bachelor of Science (with honors) in sociology from the London School of Economics and Political Science. All rights reserved. } And because their ear is still soft, ear cropping on it is normally done when the dog is still a puppy. Not only is ear cropping inhumane, but it has helped to propagate the stereotype that pitbulls are dangerous animals. A dogs ears contain many muscles that enable them to detect and retain sounds, which is an essential aspect of their senses. Ive worked with nearly 40 animal doctors during my career, and I know maybe two who perform crops, Roark says. } You can learn more about the breed standards of bullies in this guide on American Bully types. In Pennsylvania, docking may not be performed by. Ear Cropping: Animal Cruelty or Beauty Standard, The Painful Truth Behind Ear Cropping Procedure. Bottom line: Going to a vet for cropping can reduce your dog's risk of infection and give you the option of anesthesia -- which may be required in a handful of states. Her monthly articles in entertainment, culture and politics are published on PonderBoxes, a social-commentary blog. Aside from the infection, there are other potential complications, such as the desired cropped ear not being in the right position and the ear being distorted, which can lead to more ear cropping. VetstreetVet Practice NewsMiami HeraldThe BarkFully VettedThe Water Bowl, Homer's Odyssey (foreword)The Culinary Canine (foreword). In Maryland, only vets can perform tail docking and only if they use anesthesia and its considered appropriate. width: 18px !important; Cropping has only been controlled in eight states, according to the AVMA. Is the American Bully a restricted breed? Most European countries have outlawed ear cropping. Is Dog Ear Cropping Illegal In Us? You may be wondering, why do people clip dogs ears? However, most tails are docked primarily for cosmetic purposes, causing unnecessary pain to the dog. But on the other hand, people who believe in ear cropping can talk about their reason in more detail. The AVMA reports that like any incision, cropping increases the chances for infection. All in all, statistics show that around 130,000 pups are cropped annually in the United States. Does ear cropping hurt dogs? Well, Cropping the ears is an important aspect for guard dogs. 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. The topic of this article was ear cropping dogs and their consequences. } After your chosen vet deems your Bully ready for the surgery, they might ask you to make some adjustments to your Bullys diet before the surgery. After-care of the procedure is long and needs a lot of commitment and work. reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Its also the only one that considers anesthesia a requirement. The best way to discourage cruel mutilations is to make it illegal to perform, . It is frequently performed on dogs while they are still puppies (8 weeks), and the recovery period is severe. Pups are cropped annually in the United states, according to the dog is still soft, ear cropping and. 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