The procedure is illegal in the UK.
The RSPCA has reported that over 1,100 dogs have undergone ear-cropping in the UK in the past three years.
The procedure, which is illegal in the UK, involves a dog’s ears being surgically removed or altered to make the dog look ‘tough’, and can be detrimental to a dog’s health.
Data from the RSPCA showed that they had received 1,191 reports of ear cropping since 2020. However they expect the actual number of dogs with cropped ears to be higher, as some people may not know that this is not a dog’s natural ear shape or that it is illegal.
Despite the laws against it, some social media accounts continue to the promote the practice, with procedures often take place at home with dangerous ‘DIY’ ear-cropping kits.
The Government’s controversial dropping of the Kept Animals Bill in May has also meant that it remains legal to import dogs with cropped ears into the country, potentially providing a legal loophole for owners to source these dogs from abroad.
The RSPCA is working with Welsh charity Hope Rescue on their ‘Mutilated For Money’ campaign, raising awareness of the laws on cropped dogs and the welfare issues the procedure is causing.
They also urge people to write to their MPs to ask for an urgent change in cracking down on imports of dogs with cropped ears.
Dr Samantha Gaines, dog welfare expert at the RSPCA, said: “Ear cropping is a painful and unnecessary practice in which a dog’s ears are removed or surgically altered and sadly many owners who do this do it because they think the look is glamorous or it makes their pet look tough.
“But it can be detrimental, in the short and long term, to their health, behaviour and welfare - they do not benefit from having it done, and the way it is illegally carried out in the UK - by people who are not vet professionals - is highly likely to lead them to suffer.
“We don’t want this cruel procedure - which is essentially dogs being mutilated for money - to be normalised. We are concerned that it is a growing fashion trend and it needs to be stopped.”
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Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
