Ear cropping of dogs is illegal
Cropping of ears is the surgical removal of the ear flap, cutting through cartilage, skin, blood vessels and very sensitive nerve endings.
Did you know that cropping a dog’s ear is illegal?
According to Maggie Mudd, Boksburg SPCA manager, the Boksburg SPCA sees a large number of animals, mainly pit bulls, that come into the SPCA with cropped ears, which causes a great concern.
“When an ear is cropped, the dog can no longer clearly show emotions, such as fearfulness, playfulness and warning to aggression.
“This can result in people being bitten as they cannot easily read the animal’s body language. Dogs communicate with each other using a wide range of body language and ears are very mobile and an important part of this communication.
“The cropping of a dog’s ear can also result in infections of the ear as it is no longer protected by the ear flap and is open,” Mudd said.
Mudd said in the past, ears would be cropped by a veterinarian under anaesthetic; however, the code of conduct for veterinary practice states that this is an unethical procedure and should not be performed by veterinarians under any circumstances.
“The South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) further states that they will not support their members if animal cruelty charges are laid in this regard and that ear cropping may not be performed by a layman as it is a surgical procedure.
“Therefore, since a veterinarian cannot perform the procedure and a layman cannot crop a dog’s ears, there is no legal way to crop a dog’s ears.
“Even pit bull shows are understanding that ear cropping is forbidden and unnecessary and no dogs born after August 2015 are allowed to compete in the shows with cropped ears.
“Any dogs with cropped ears born after this date will be permanently disqualified.”
Mudd highlighted that cropping a dog’s ear is a painful and traumatic experience for the dog.
“Many dogs suffer from pain of their cropped ears and dislike having them touched for life after the procedure is carried out. Ear cropping is done purely for cosmetic reasons. Owners seem to think that the dog will look better, fiercer or more alert with cropped ears,” Mudd said.
Mudd said the Boksburg SPCA will not hesitate to lay criminal charges against anyone who carries out this procedure under the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962 section 2 (1)(a).
