Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1501168
Alison Bezzina is Commissioner for Animal Welfare 4 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 11 JUNE 2023 OPINION OPINION THE cruel practice of cropping dogs' ears, a surgical procedure performed to alter the appear- ance of certain dog breeds, has often sparked significant con- troversy. The practice has been illegal since 2014 and anyone caught breaching this law can face a fine from €2000 up to €65,000, up to three years imprison- ment, and a temporary or per- manent ban from living under the same roof as animals. In Malta, it is also illegal to buy or sell a dog with cropped ears, and dogs with cropped ears that cannot be legally jus- tified, cannot be admitted to shows, and competitions. Understanding ear cropping Ear cropping involves the sur- gical removal of a portion of a dog's ear flap. Sometimes this is followed by bandaging and subsequent posting to shape the ear as it heals. The procedure is typically performed on specific breeds for aesthetic purposes, often with the intention of con- forming to breed standards or achieving a desired aggressive appearance. But, unless the surgery is performed by a cer- tified vet for curative (medical) purposes, it is illegal and down- right cruel. Unnecessary pain and distress Ear cropping for cosmetic purposes is a painful procedure performed on young puppies who are still developing both physically and emotionally. The surgical removal of a part of the ear causes acute pain and discomfort. Given its illegality it is highly unlikely that a veterinary sur- geon would risk performing such surgeries, which means that ear cropping for cosmetic purposes is often performed by people with no surgical or vet- erinary training and without proper access to surgical tools and medication. As a result, dogs can be trau- matised during the surgery it- self and experience ongoing pain during the healing pro- cess, leading to prolonged dis- tress and potential complica- tions. Impact on communication and sensory abilities Dogs use their ears as vital tools for communication, ex- pressing emotions, and inter- preting their environment. Ear cropping diminishes their ability to communicate effec- tively through ear movements, leading to potential misunder- standings between dogs and their human or canine com- panions. Additionally, the surgical alteration can impair their hearing and disrupt their nat- ural ability to localise sound. Cropped ears also give dogs an aggressive look which can lead to unjustified human percep- tions and fear. The illegality of ear cropping Malta's laws recognise that ear cropping for cosmetic al- teration has no medical or functional benefit to the dog, and as such, it is prohibited. Historically however, enforce- ment of this law has been weak, with authorities and even ken- nel clubs closing an eye to cropped ears. The Commissioner for Animal Welfare insists that this prac- tice should be stopped and that defaulters should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Last year a man was banned by the courts from owning dogs and fined €2000 after he admit- ted in court to having illegally carried out an illegal ear-crop- ping operation on his dog. See https://www.maltatoday. com.mt/news/court_and_po- lice/114795/earclipping_dog_ o w n e r _ f i n e d _ b a n n e d _ f r o m _ keeping_dogs_by_court Adoption of breed standards Breed standards need to evolve to prioritise health, temperament, and function- ality over cosmetic features. The Commissioner for Animal Welfare encourages breed- ers and kennel clubs to revise standards to contribute to a more responsible and humane approach to dog breeding and not to keep closing an eye to the cruelty involved in ear cropping. According to the Commis- sioner for Animal Welfare, those who close an eye to this cruelty and any other animal cruelty are accomplices. The Office of the Commis- sioner for Animal Welfare was set up by Chapter 439, the An- imal Welfare Act, with the task towards projecting a higher de- served status to Animal Wel- fare issues and matters related there to. The ultimate mission of the Commissioner's office is to promote and advocate for the animal welfare and the highest standards of health, keeping and treatment of animals. The promotion of compliance with the Animal Welfare Act, enhancement of cooperation between entities and persons advocating for animal welfare and the formulation of recom- mendations for the implemen- tation of matters touching up- on animal welfare. Alison Bezzina The cruelty and illegality of cropping dogs' ears Cropped Natural Ear cropping is cruel and illegal