A dog who underwent a hideous DIY home crop – in which dogs’ ears are cut, often using a pair of scissors – is looking for a new safe home.
Two-year old American Bulldog cross Millie as rescued in June after being abandoned and suffering from mastitis (inflammation of the mammary gland due to an infection).
Staff at the RSPCA’s Godshill Animal Centre, on the Isle of Wight, took her in after she spent a week with the dog warden, having been found wandering in a rural area. 
Manager Suzanne Pugh said: “We believe Millie had given birth before being abandoned and she was suffering from an extreme case of mastitis. She was also extremely emaciated and had endured a hideous home ear crop. She needed immediate vet care to help with the pain and discomfort and to try to improve her weight.
“She initially adapted well to her new surroundings in the shelter and we quickly gained her trust. She also made a good recovery from the mastitis, but we’ve not able to spray her due to some ongoing medical issues for which she’s still receiving veterinary treatment.”
Ear cropping – a cruel a completely unnecessary process whereby part or all of the ear is removed, sometimes using scissors and knives – is illegal in England and Wales under the Animal Welfare Act.
But the RSPCA is receiving more reports of dogs having their ears removed and is seeing more dogs with cropped ears arriving at its centres.
The charity’s experts are concerned that images shared on social media – especially from the USA and in Europe where the practice is legal or unregulated is many states/countries- coupled with celebrity culture and in increase in bull breeds seen in advertising is making the ‘look’ more popular.
RSPCA dog welfare expert Dr Samantha Gaines said: “Ear cropping is a process where ears are removed or surgically altered, usually for the purposes of appearance. It’s a painful and wholly unnecessary process which does not benefit the dog in any way and can, in fact, be detrimental to their health, behaviour and welfare.
“We do not believe dogs should be mutilated for cosmetic purposes and we’d urge people not to buy a dog with cropped ears as – whether the process was carried out here or overseas – they still will have undergone this very painful process.”
Millie loves meeting new people and enjoys all the fuss and attention that she receives. She’s young and active and – as she’s quite large – staff caring for her feel she’d be best going to an adult-only home with experienced dog owners who can help her grow.
She’d benefit form training and needs teaching that it isn’t scary being left home alone. She’d be best being the only pet in the home as she’s always on the go and loves lots of attention.
Suzanne added: “Our kennel was quieter when she arrived which enabled us to support Millie’s emotional health and well-being better. However, we recently took in 65 dogs and, as you can imagine, this means the sound, sights, smells and overall disturbance has dramatically increased. She’s found this really stressful and her emotional health is deteriorating, and Millie really deserves this chance.”
Staff have been working with Millie to help her cope in kennels but are desperate to find her the paw-fect home.
For more information about Millie you can visit her online profile or contact RSPCA Isle of Wight branch on [email protected] or 01983 840 287.
