A dog breeder who allowed the mutilation of four puppies' ears has been banned from owning dogs.

The American Bully dogs were in the care of Fraser Charlie Hunter, 29, when their ears were cropped.

Hunter then sold the dogs to new owners following the "painful" procedures in 2022.

He was prosecuted by the RSPCA and has now been banned from owning dogs.

RSPCA Inspector Miranda Albinson, who investigated the case, said: “Ear cropping is a painful and illegal procedure that carries no benefits at all to the dogs.

“We hope this case sends a strong message to anyone involved with ear cropping that this will not be tolerated.”

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One of the dogs who was under the care of Fraser HunterOne of the dogs who was under the care of Fraser Hunter (Image: RSPCA)

Hunter's defence solicitor said in court that the offences were not a “premeditated attempt” to have a business designed around the docking of ears.

He was “ignorant and unaware of distress it would cause to the dogs,” the court was told.

Hunter, of Lawson Close, Swanwick, admitted four charges of permitting another to carry out a prohibited procedure on an animal.

He was banned from owning dogs for five years and sentenced to 12 weeks custody, suspended for 12 months.

He was also ordered to carry out 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days and must pay £1,000 costs and a £128 victim surcharge.

During his sentencing at Southampton Magistrates’ Court, a veterinary report outlined how a dog’s ears can only be cropped by a veterinary surgeon for purposes of medical treatment.

This can include cancer or severe physical injury where surgical reconstruction of the ear would be impossible.

Mutilation of the outer ear for cosmetic reasons is banned in the UK.

In the report, the vet said: “The altered anatomy of the (outer ear) and open ear canal may also predispose the ear to collecting foreign material such as grass seeds when the dog runs through long grass, exposing the dog to potential ear irritation and possibly secondary bacterial and yeast infection.

“Dogs communicate with each other via body language in a similar way to humans and part of this communication involves ear movement and position.

“Mutilation of the ear pinna results in a dramatically altered ear shape which may hinder the dog’s ability to communicate effectively.

“This may lead to future behavioural problems.”