Urmston man banned from keeping animals after allowing American bully's ears to be cropped

A man who arranged to have his 11-week-old puppy’s ears cropped has been banned from keeping animals for two years. 

Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard that Tyrese Dawood initially claimed his American bully Draco had been stolen when it was found he had been illegally mutilated in between routine appointments for vaccinations.

But Dawood, 22, of Wendover Road, Urmston, later pleaded guilty to one offence of allowing a dog’s ears to be cropped, contrary to Section 5 of the Animal Welfare Act. As well as a two-year ban on keeping animals, Dawood was told to pay a £500 fine and ordered to pay £2,000 costs and a £50 victim surcharge.

A statement presented to the court from the vet stated that Draco was taken to the vets on February 2, 2021, for vaccinations with his ears fully intact. On February 16, Draco was taken to the vets again - but this time with cropped ears.

The vet said in their statement: “The surgery appeared to be either professionally done or completed by someone with plenty of experience. Although Draco was not suffering at the time of the examination, the mutilation of the ears was unnecessary and against the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The ears were previously in perfect condition.”

When visited by the RSPCA, Dawood told inspector Emma Dingley that he had bought Draco for £2,000 but that the dog had been stolen - and when he returned he had his ears cropped. Inspector Dingley made enquiries about the theft with a store where the theft allegedly happened,  but did not find any evidence. The police were also not made aware of a theft.

In a statement given to the court, inspector Dingley said: “The vet states when he challenged the male regarding the ears the male shrugged his shoulders and said his brother arranged for it to happen. Later that day I interviewed Mr Dawood at his home address contemporaneously under caution, with a solicitor present. Mr Dawood provided pictures of Draco and some scissors he used to remove the staples from Draco ears.”

An expert vet who examined Draco said in a statement: “Tyrese Dawood indicates that on February 8, 2021 he was aware that Draco was experiencing pain as a consequence of wounds on the ears. The wounds also had metal staples applied to them. Despite being aware Draco was in pain, Dawood removed the metal staples from the ears himself rather than seeking veterinary advice and treatment, such as appropriate pain relief.

“In my opinion Draco was caused to suffer due to Tyrese Dawood failing to seek prompt veterinary advice and treatment for the ear wounds which he knew to be causing Draco pain. Suffering would have been experienced by this animal via mechanisms of pain and irritation which is likely to have persisted for a period of at least three days, possibly longer.”

Speaking after the sentencing, inspector Dingley said: “Ear cropping is a horrific, immoral, unnecessary and repulsive 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. We would urge the public and anyone looking to buy a puppy to remember this is an illegal procedure, which has a hugely negative impact for the dogs themselves.”

Draco has now been renamed Obi and has been happily rehomed.