Pit bulls ears cut with scissors
Greenfield, CA (US)

Incident Date: Wednesday, Oct 31, 2001
County: Monterey

Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: 16 year old boy

A 16-year old owner of a pit bull who cut off most of the dog's ears with scissors may have animal cruelty charges filed against him by prosecutors.

Rocky, the 2-year old pit bull, is recovering after being taken into protective custody by the Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Veterinarians have operated on Rocky to repair the mangled ears.

Officials speculate the teenager and an adult friend, who could also be charged, were trying to crop the dog's ears to make it appear more aggressive. Rocky was found with his ears crudely tied with dental floss when an unidentifed person notified police about the condition of the dog.

Rob Cole, SPCA investigator, said "Basically we had gotten a report that someone had cropped this dog's ears." Ear cropping is a surgical procedure peformed on dogs with floppy ears to make them stand upright.

As a result of the SPCA's investigation of this case, the incident might be reported to the Monterey County District Attorney's Office for review and possible filing of animal cruelty charges.

References

• Associated Press - Nov 21, 2001

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