Contrary to popular misconception, ear cropping does not improve a dogs hearing or prevent ear infections, American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) reports. Why? It is a medical procedure in which the dogs ear is surgically removed using surgical scissors. If you see these signs, there may be an infection. }
Our content is for educational purposes only. 2017, Dr. Patty Khuly. Veterinarian, columnist, blogger, foodie. This practice of dog ear cropping is a painful procedure in which the dogs ear is surgically removed to make the dog appear more aggressive or for aesthetic purposes. Massachusetts forbids ear cropping except when performed by a licensed vet. 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 (AVMA). Not that Im holding my breath or nothin' . In Pennsylvania, docking may not be performed by. 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. 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 countries like the United States, ear cropping has been on the decline, . American Kennel Club: Frequently Asked Conformation Questions., American Veterinary Medical Association: Canine Tail Docking FAQ, Welfare Implications of Ear Cropping Dogs., ASPCA: Why Do Fighting Dogs Have Their Ears Cropped and Tails Docked?, British Veterinary Association: Tail Docking of Dogs., Council of Docked Breeds: Tail injuries of shorthaired German point dogs born in Sweden 1989., Gentle Doberman: Taping and Posting Doberman Ears., Banfield Pet Hospital:Banfield, The Pet Hospital discontinues tail dock, ear crop procedures., People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA): Ear-cropping and tail docking.. Were seeing a rapid change in American dog culture. Yay! Some people believe its a personal choice that should be accepted, while others argue that its cruel and inhuman. They stand up straight and give the American Bully an intimidating, menacing look. The American Bully is a restricted breed in some states in the USA.
The dogs hearing will be affected if an ear is cropped. DVM 360: AVMA Gets Mixed Reaction to Ear Crop Policy, World Small Animal Veterinary Association: AAHA Animal Welfare Position Statements.
The AVMA opposes ear cropping and tail docking when done solely for cosmetic purposes and encourages the elimination of these practices from breed standards. The vet may need to check and replace these bandages periodically to ensure proper healing. color:#000000 !important;
Ear cropping and tail docking are common today, but are these practices necessary or merely cosmetic? Maryland and Pennsylvania are the only states that have provisions restricting the tail docking of dogs. These procedures cause pain and distress and, as with all surgical procedures, are accompanied by inherent risks of anesthesia, blood loss, and infection. Otis is now three years old, but he still does not get along with strangers and even his pet parents sometimes, especially if they approach him with an object. 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. Though docking and cropping are done mostly for appearances sake, many owners and breeders say removing hunting and farm dogs tails might prevent injuries during chases or herding. 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. [The Real Reasons], American Bullies are already very muscular. Elective surgery for dogs: It may sound odd, but its exactly what some purebreds undergo shortly after birth. They also dock to avoid injuries for working dogs who could get their tails caught in something. Photo: Adobe Stock / Mary SwiftHelp us take a stand against ear cropping! But it is still considered legal in countries like Canada and India. American Bully ear cropping is a surgical procedure, and therefore it needs a lot of care before, during, and after the process. (Here's the AVMA's policy on this.). Maryland: MD takes it one step further. Cropping, also known as clipping dogs ears, removes all or part of the external ear flap on a dog. Its believed that the cropped ear will not just stop the ears from being disadvantaged but will also increase their hearing ability. Make sure you dont get soap or hydrogen peroxide on the stitches. left:0px !important;
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This restriction involves completely banning the breed or, Read More Is the American Bully a Restricted Breed? Your dog will probably need a follow-up visit about a week after surgery to have the stitches (if used) removed. Naturally, American Bullies have big floppy ears, but back in the day, owners used to crop their ears to give them a more intimidating look. The Best American Bully Bloodlines and Breeders (Photos & Prices), Can American Bullies Run?
At FindLaw.com, we pride ourselves on being the number one source of free legal information and resources on the web. [The Real Reasons]Continue. Most of these historical reasons have been disproved (improving hearing and preventing ear infections) or are no longer applicable today, Tier 1 reports. They are the natural shape of an American Bullys ears, and they make them look friendly and approachable. position: absolute !important;
The American Kennel Club (AKC) says the practices are integral to defining and preserving breed character in certain breeds. 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 cost can vary from one veterinarian to another. Ear cropping is illegal in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Slovak Republic, and parts of Europe. Celebrities like Leigh-Anne from Little Mix and Kendall Jenner have boldly shared photos of their pets with cropped ears on social media. The amount removed can vary depending on the breed standards. The ears are then taped to a hard surface for several weeks while they heal so they stay upright. The Show crop, also known as the medium crop, is the most common ear cropping style among breeders and pet owners because it gives a more alert look to the dog. In the United States, no state has officially prohibited ear cropping. Doberman with uncropped ears Its said that cropped ears are less likely to get infections. The average cost of ear cropping should be around $150 to $600. 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. Notably, ear cropping is illegal in some parts of Canada, and all of Australia, New Zealand, and in Scandinavian countries, according to the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies. overflow:hidden;
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. ACS says while ear cropping isn't illegal, it is illegal in Texas for a non-licensed veterinarian to perform the procedure. Nowadays, most people dont take their American Bully on hunting trips, but a lot of people enter their dogs into dog shows. The term head-splitting is used to refer to the changes that happen to the size of the dogs head. Copyright 2022, Thomson Reuters. Make sure to research veterinarians in your area and choose one that has previous experience with ear cropping.
Banfield Pet Hospital, the largest network of animal hospitals in the U.S., no longer performs docking or cropping. Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania and Washington State impose certain restrictions, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. As we have quickly mentioned before, there are many types or styles of ear crops for American Bullies. text-decoration:none !important;
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Sign the petition and ask the American Kennel Club to remove ear cropping from its breed standards! Get a soft cotton ball and dip it in mild soap or hydrogen peroxide to disinfect and clean the wound. They state that if a dog's ears have been removed, it can be more difficult to know how the animal is feeling. Ear cropping refers to the procedure of trimming an animal's ear. So, mutilating a body part of the dog can cause an extreme effect on their social life in the future. The only difference between the various ear cropping styles is the amount of ear that is cropped. LOCKPORT, N.Y . Apparently, this law helps ensure that dangerous dogs are not misunderstood. The practice of surgically cutting a puppys ears is now considered largely cosmetic and has been banned in most countries, The Spruce Pets reports. In many ways, American Bullies are perfect dogs, but this doesnt come cheap. It serves no other function than to help a dog adhere to a certain breed standard. The short crop is considered to be the best ear crop style for American Bullies. The best way to discourage cruel mutilations is to make it illegal to perform, . Such acts of cruelty can cause the dog unnecessary and unwelcome long-term chronic agony, therefore it should be prohibited. border-top: 1px solid #cccccc !important;
Baby boy Enzo getting distracted with #cetchews at #sunsetanimalclinic during his #fearfree visit. #accordion_pro_15601 .wpsm_panel-title a{
It is still legal in most of North America. Do you agree or disagree that these practices should be regulated by law? 2. }
Should it be banned? Is Cropping Bully Ears Cruel? Celebrities are mostly responsible for the dramatic spike in-ear cropping. Another method for cropping the ears was to cut off the blood supply with a ring or rope, causing the ear to fall off on its own; this method is too often performed for Tail cropping. }
(Here's a past post on this and the AVMA's policy.). box-shadow:none !important;
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New York: Ink and piercings may be all the rage, but NY says skin-deep fashion shouldnt extend to pets. #accordion_pro_15601 .wpsm_panel-body_inner{
Despite the significant pain it elicits, declawing all four paws remains a relatively common practice in the US. Most often its done for perceived health benefits and cosmetic reasons like making the dog appear stronger or more aggressive. Some owners believe ear cropping lowers the odds of infections. Ear cropping is illegal in England and Wales, under Section 5 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, the RSPCA reports. Make sure your American Bully gets a healthy diet during the time after the procedure to help their body heal faster. Austria, Cyprus, Greece, Lithuania, Sweden, Bulgaria, Romania and Switzerland have signed and ratified the Convention without reservations. Some claims suggest that it can minimize ear infections and improve hearing. Photo: Adobe Stock / DennisThe practice of surgically cutting a puppys ears is now considered largely cosmetic and has been banned in most countries. RSPCA inspector Herchy Boal says: "Dogs should never be mutilated for cosmetic purposes . . The eight states with controlled ear cropping laws include Pennsylvania, Washington, New York, Virginia, and Massachusetts Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, there is no real evidence that ear cropping prevents ear infections in dogs. #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 {
The practice of ear cropping should be stopped and rules regulating such barbaric practices should be implemented. Two surgical procedures -- ear cropping and tail docking -- have long been routine in certain breeds like Dobermans, German shorthaired pointers, and schnauzers. February 14, 2023 Victoria There are a number of states that regulate ear popping of dogs. font-family: FontAwesome !important;
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General anesthesia is also typical, and the procedure removes about two-thirds of the ear (the external ear flap) and many nerve endings. /* open close icon option */
Since their immune system is still weak, the puppy whose ear was just cropped is more susceptible to infection. Pennsylvania: PA prohibits devocalization unless the procedure is performed under anesthesia by a licensed veterinarian. padding: 14.5px !important;
Photo: Adobe Stock / MeganBetteridgeThe American Kennel Club (AKC) currently supports ear cropping in order to maintain the standards of appearance for certain breeds. 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. Theres no reason to defend these practices. Following the procedure, Otis was scared of both his parents and strangers. Dogs communicate with one another by wagging their tails and wiggling their ears. To keep the lights on, we receive affiliate commissions via some of our links. #accordion_pro_15601 .wpsm_panel-heading{
In four to eight weeks after the procedure, the ear will be fully healed. But not just because they hedge, waffle and prevaricate. 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. This surgery requires general anesthesia and good follow up care to ensure the dog's ear stand up properly. If you like this article, share it! 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. Although ear cropping has not been prohibited within the United States, many veterinarians are refusing to perform the procedure. Like the dog tail, the ear is an important part of a dogs communication system. The American Veterinary Medical Association states that "ear-cropping and tail-docking are not medically indicated nor of benefit to the patient. Many breed standards, set by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and other pedigree organizations, have cosmetic requirements, including cropped ears for certain breeds. Infection is always a risk with any medical procedure. A Timeline, Is the American Bully a Restricted Breed? about FindLaws newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy. 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. Ear cropping is a painful procedure that benefits the dog in no way. 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. Its important for responsible dog owners to know when these changes happen, Read More When Does An American Bullys Head Crack?Continue, Bullies are a significant lifetime investment. Petrov, V. Revue de Medecine Veterinaire, January 2013. What are the advantages of cropping your dog's ear? The ear is an important part of a dogs communication system, and removing it has long and short-term consequences for the animal. After the mutilation, sutures are used to close the cropped portion of the ear.
Is ear cropping GOOD or BAD for your dog? There are two ways to dock a tail. color: #ffffff !important;
Photo: Adobe Stock / DuskoEar-cropping causes pain and distress to dogs. It is legal in the United States, although several states have repeatedly tried to outlaw ear cropping (and tail docking). }
Ear cropping was made illegal in the UK under the Animal Welfare Act of 2006. padding: 0 !important;
It is sometimes described as docking, although this terms may also include trimming the tail. We got this information from the AVMA (American Veterinarian Medical Association), which was last updated in 2019. Tail docking on the other hand, is the mutilation of a dog's . 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 does not currently include the UK, but the matter is covered in domestic animal welfare legislation. Well, Cropping the ears is an important aspect for guard dogs. Wiggling their ears their social life in the USA policy, World Small animal Veterinary:... Like making the dog in no way what states is ear cropping illegal states have repeatedly tried to outlaw ear cropping or. Or BAD for your dog 's ear just stop the ears are then taped to a breed. 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