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We are providing information from the American Kennel Club, the American Veterinary Medical Association, other canine related organizations, the various breed clubs in the USA, and also excerpts from published articles and books on this subject

The AVMA's position on ear cropping and tail docking, adopted on July 9, 1999, states: "Ear cropping and tail docking in dogs for cosmetic reasons are not medically indicated nor of benefit to the patient. These procedures cause pain and distress, and, as with all surgical procedures, are accompanied by inherent risks of anesthesia, blood loss, and infection. Therefore, veterinarians should counsel dog owners about these matters before agreeing to perform these surgeries." The AVMA had received petitions, on which they could have acted but chose not to, which would have ended these cruel and inhumane practices. Their complete policy and voting can be seen in the August 15, 1999 issue of the Journal of the AVMA. Clearly they could have taken a stand but they did not! Why not? Was it because there are thousands of U.S. veterinarians making a substantial living through cropping ears? Some clients will travel across state lines in order to have this procedure done by 'expert' hands. Was it because they felt comfortable in letting all those who govern individual breed clubs dictate to them? Vets already know the policies from breed clubs and what taking a firm stand on this issue would cause. It would bring the practice of cropping ears to a STOP. If the AVMA said they oppose further ear crops by licensed veterinarians, the American Kennel Club would also STOP allowing any dogs to be in any of their shows if their ears had been cropped. It would no longer matter what individuals thought or what was in the written policies of the breed clubs. Unless, of course, breeders wanted to continue to do illegal ear crops, puppy mill owners wanted to keep on cropping ears when puppies are still babies (with fingernail scissors and without any anesthetics), and other people wanted to continue plying the illegal drug trade by bringing anesthetics into this country from outside sources, or obtaining it from vets or doctors, to perform crops, the inhumane practice would stop.

The Humane Society of the United States could put a stop to this practice by stating a firm policy that the organization is opposed to ear cropping and to all other forms of cosmetic surgery that are senseless, inhumane and cruel! We would see it all stopped! A copy of a letter from Mr. Caras, deceased President of the ASPCA, is included on this Web site. This organization has been challenged to exert its influence to adhere to what the AKC says in its own policies: dogs that have been cosmetically altered may not be shown or exhibited in AKC sanctioned events. The ASPCA tells us to "get the attention of the ear croppers and the AKC." However, the AKC ignores ear cropping by telling us to revert back to the breed club individual standards, and some breed clubs refuse to alter their standards, at least to provide options, so that cropped or upright ears are not essential. There are no breed disqualifications regarding cropped ears!

In 2004, former California Sen. Liz Figueroa introduced a much-publicized amendment to S.B. 1548 of the California Civil Code. The proposed amendment would have made it a “misdemeanor for any person to crop the ears of any dog, or to procure the cropping of a dog's ears within the state of California, except for the treatment of disease or injury of the dog.” The measure was defeated when anti-ban dog breeders (many of whom reportedly did not even reside in California) objected violently. Senator Liz Figueroa decided to remove the provision for concern that it would compromise an otherwise acceptable bill. SB 1548 passed the legislature without the ban. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed it into law. StopTheCrops supported the ban and favors similar legislation introduced in other states. On the Take Action site there is a letter you can send to legislators in your state. Obviously the position would be stronger if the ban had passed in California and given the out-of-state opposition, we face an uphill battle. California voters need to make their views heard! You can send Governor Schwarzenegger a message, http://www.govmail.ca.gov/.

Interestingly enough, Governor Schwarzenegger's native Austria has passed an anti-cruelty law, one of Europe's harshest, that bans pet owners from cropping their dogs' ears or tails, force farmers to uncage their chickens, and ensure that puppies and kittens no longer swelter in pet shop windows. Violators are subject to fines of $2,420, and in cases of extreme cruelty can be fined up to $18,160 and have their animals seized by the authorities. Austria's new law also outlaws the use of lions and other wild animals in circuses and makes it illegal to restrain dogs with chains, choke collars or "invisible fences" that administer mild electric shocks to confine animals.

In the US, unless and until it becomes illegal to crop ears and dock tails, with the continued 'sanctioning' from the AKC, the AVMA and the ASPCA, the practices will continue. Perhaps it is time to act on the suggestion from the former President of the ASPCA to "strike effectively!" While ear cropping is considered to be, by far, the more cruel of the mutilation/amputation processes, if it takes legislation to stop tail docking in order to put a stop to ear cropping, then so be it! The challenge for all of us is to contact our federal legislators, state and local elected officials, and canine related groups to let them know that we consider this to be a cruel procedure that has to be stopped!

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