Two men have been jailed after they arranged to illegally have their dogs’ ears cropped, which vets said caused the animals pain and unnecessary suffering. Joshua Kwiathawski, 25, and Jamie Evans, 21, pleaded guilty to allowing the banned practice of ear-cropping to be carried out on their bull-type dogs, Riga and Ace.
The pair failed to seek veterinary care for their injuries after the cruel procedure. Gruesome photos of the aftermath of the clippings show Ace lying with his ears bandaged and blood smeared on a blanket beneath him.
Wigan and Leigh Magistrates Court heard the RSPCA became aware after police seized Kwiathawski’s phone on an unrelated offence. Officers noticed his device contained photos of Ace with cropped ears and alerted the animal charity.
Two warrants were later carried out and a second phone seized was found to contain messages between the two men discussing the dogs having their ears cropped. There were photos on their phones of both dogs as puppies with full ears, as well as images of the dogs after having the procedure.
The court heard that Kwiathawski had advised Evans to put talc on Riga’s ears and told him to not let anyone see the fresh wounds or he could be reported. While ear cropping is illegal in England, dogs can still be legally imported into the country having had the procedure done overseas.
In a voice note, he said: “Once you've took the scabs off and talced his ears he will look exactly like Ace does on that picture where his ears are dead white and they are up tall and you can hardly see any scabs. It just looks like loads of talc on the outsides of his ears. That’s what it will look like bro.”
Evans replied saying: “Sure he’s took this crop too far back on him.”
The two men also had a conversation on WhatsApp, where Evans asked when he could 'post a pic' of Riga, to which Kwiathawski replied: “Not for 4-6 weeks bro, no one in your gaff you don’t know.” Evans asked: “What do you mean mate”, to which Kwiathawski replied: “Don’t have anyone in your house or seeing the dog you don’t know, if they see fresh wounds they could report you.
“Only post on your private snapchat mate people who you trust and if anyone asks obvs the dogs imported.” Dr Sean Taylor, a vet who examined Ace and Riga in RSPCA care, told the court there was 'sufficient evidence' the dogs had undergone ear cropping procedures.
He said in a statement: “Mutilation of the ear pinna for reasons of cosmetic look is prohibited within the RCVS professional code of conduct and should not be carried out by veterinary surgeons within the UK. I have not been provided with any evidence to indicate that Ace and Riga had their ears cropped for reasons of medical necessity.
"In the absence of such evidence it is assumed that these dog’s had their ears cropped for cosmetic reasons."
He told that court the dogs would have suffered pain and irritation for 'at least five days, possibly longer' after the procedure. Magistrates handed them both a 23-week prison sentence and banned them from keeping animals for 15 years.
Speaking after sentencing, RSPCA inspector Emma Dingley said: “Ear cropping is a horrific practice which has absolutely no benefits for the dogs and can cause them lifelong health, behavioural and social problems. This is done purely for cosmetic purposes and sadly can lead to puppies being sold for much more money.
"We’d urge the public and anyone looking to buy a puppy to remember that this is an illegal procedure which has hugely negative impacts for the dogs themselves.”
The dogs are now in RSPCA care.
