An Airdrie man has been handed a 12-month ban on owning, keeping or working with animals for illegally cropping the ears of his American bully pup, Kane. He was also given a Community Payback Order of 190 hours to be completed within 18 months.
32-year-old Andrew Dean Kirkland of Waddell Avenue, Airdrie, pled guilty at Airdrie Sheriff Court on 30 August to causing unnecessary suffering through failing to provide veterinary treatment for injuries caused by a prohibited procedure. He was sentenced on 7 November at the same court.
A Scottish SPCA special investigations unit inspector involved in the case said “We attended a premises in Airdrie on 30 April 2021 and found Kane, an American bully puppy aged between five and six months, at the property with cropped ears.
“We immediately removed the dog due to concerns for his welfare and took him to a veterinary surgery. He was examined and it was determined the ear cropping would have taken place more than three weeks prior. Three quarters of both of the flaps on his ears had been removed and there were dimples either side of the wound consistent with the placement of suture material.
“This illegal procedure would have caused Kane considerable pain and discomfort for purely cosmetic reasons.
“At first, Kirkland tried to claim that the dog had been imported from Bulgaria with cropped ears.
“Kirkland said he thought ear cropping was legal and had been told it would make his dog less aggressive and stop him fighting with other dogs.
“In the UK, as ear cropping is a prohibited procedure, any operation is unlikely to be carried out with appropriate anaesthetic or pain relief. Kirkland has allowed this to be carried out to a defenceless young dog, undoubtedly causing significant unnecessary suffering, with no regard for the pain and discomfort this would ultimately cause Kane.
“We are pleased that Kirkland has been given a ban but, given that he has shown a premeditated willingness to compromise welfare for a purely cosmetic reason, we would have liked it to be for a longer period of time.
“If anyone is concerned about the welfare of an animal they can call our confidential helpline on 03000 999 999.”
