A Biddenham man has been banned from keeping animals for 20 years and handed a suspended prison sentence after allowing two puppies in his care to have their ears cropped.
Nicholas Storr, 47, of Dragonfly Crescent, Biddenham, appeared before Milton Keynes Magistrates’ Court on 24 July for sentencing.
He had previously pleaded guilty to allowing another person to carry out the illegal procedure on two puppies, named Chaos and Millie, in 2022.
Alongside the 20-year ban on keeping all animals, Storr was sentenced to a 34-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid work.
He was also ordered to pay £350 in costs and a £187 victim surcharge.
RSPCA investigation
The RSPCA launched an investigation following reports of alleged ear cropping, gathering intelligence and photographic evidence showing the dogs before and after the procedure was carried out.
During the investigation, Inspector Hannah Nixon spoke to Storr, who told her that he no longer owned any cropped dogs.
He said that Chaos had been put to sleep the previous year after he attacked him, and his other dog Millie had been rehomed.
Photographs showing the dogs with cropped ears were used as evidence.
In mitigation, the court heard that Storr was very sorry, deeply regretted his decisions, and was struggling with his mental health due to personal issues at the time.
Speaking after the sentencing, Inspector Nixon highlighted the pain caused by the illegal practice.
“Ear cropping is a completely unnecessary process where the ear flap is altered or removed,” she said.
“Dogs need their ears to communicate, and the sad truth is that ear cropping is a traumatic procedure which can cause a huge amount of pain and suffering.
“It doesn’t benefit the dog in any way and can actually be detrimental to their health, behaviour and welfare.
“We urge people to not buy into the trend; the only way to stop this is by not fuelling the demand for a cropped-eared dog.”
