Fudge came to Battersea as a stray with her ears cropped.
Though it was clear from her sweet temperament that she was previously owned as a pet, we were not able to find Fudge's owner. Because Fudge’s microchip was registered in Romania, it is likely that her ears were cropped there before she was imported into the UK, where the practice has been illegal for over 17 years.
Despite being a little worried initially, Fudge eventually opened up thanks to the care and expertise of a dedicated group of staff and volunteers.
Since she was a flat-faced dog, she underwent surgery at the Battersea clinic to widen her airways and help her breathe better. Through receiving this vital medical care, Fudge was able to have a better quality of life and soon found her new home.
How ear cropping harms dogs
People may want dogs with cropped ears to look 'powerful’, influenced by what they’ve seen on social media, TV and films. But the impact on dogs goes beyond how they look.
Ear cropping is often done without any pain relief or anaesthetic. And in most cases, it’s done with a standard knife or blade.
Ear cropping also stops dogs from living a normal life. For example, dogs with cropped ears can’t use their body language to communicate with people and other dogs. This can then lead to behavioural problems, like aggression and anxiety.
Despite being painful, traumatic and illegal in the UK, Fudge is just one of many dogs out there who has suffered – or will continue to suffer – from their ears being cropped.
Thanks to our supporters, the Animal Welfare (Import of Dogs, Cats and Ferrets) Bill, or the Imports Bill for short, is about to become law.
This new law will help stop poorly bred animals and animals with cropped ears from being imported into the UK – removing the smokescreen that allows this illegal practice to carry on.
Help us by sharing this good news for dogs and cats.
This is a huge step forward, but there’s still more we can do to tackle the demand for this cruel and painful procedure.
Ear cropping is often glamourised on social media, encouraging the practice and making it seem normal. But that’s far from the truth. It’s unnecessary, agonising and it needs to stop. Please be careful what you share online.
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