Ear cropping procedures

Authors: Patchett G
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 33, Issue 9, pp 152, Sep 1985
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Companion animal, Dog
Subject Terms: Animal welfare, Congenital disease, Ear/nose/throat, Surgery
Article class: Correspondence

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Abstract: I wish to convey to members of the veterinary profession in New Zealand my concern over the practice of anonymous veterinary clinicians directing their clients to seek Association “permission” for the performance of ear cropping procedures. There has been considerable recent publicity given to the profession`s stance on ear cropping in the dog, and few (if any) New Zealand veterinarians can be unaware that when performed for cosmetic purposes, the procedure is unethical. I can only assume that this is why the veterinarian shelters anonymously behind the pen of a client rather than contacting my office directly and in person. The provisions of the Animals Protection Act clearly prohibit such an operation unless performed with full analgesia, and this requires a purely veterinary skill. The veterinarian is ethically required to refuse to perform the procedure for cosmetic purposes. Any dog exhibiting the striking results of such surgery would clearly indicate that either the law was broken, or a veterinarian was in breach of the profession`s ethics, unless of course it could be proved that the dog was imported in that condition…

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