Senate OKs ear cropping ban
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By JOHN ZICCONI Vermont Press Bureau - Published: February 8, 2006
MONTPELIER — The state Senate on Tuesday gave preliminary approval to a bill that would make Vermont the first state to ban cropping a dog's ears purely for cosmetic purposes.
But before the bill comes up for a final approval today, some senators are expected to try to alter the legislation so it allows the surgery when performed by a veterinarian.
Vermont is one of a handful of states that allows people without a vet's license to perform what many consider an unnecessary operation.
Some lawmakers do not want to ban veterinarians from performing the surgery. They fear a complete ban would put local dog handlers at a disadvantage when they show their animals because some judges prefer cropped ears.
"I'm looking for ways to support this bill," said Sen. Hull Maynard, R-Rutland. "The question I have is can a dog win a competition without the cropping? The information I'm getting does not convince me that it is possible."
Once the Senate finalizes the bill, it will move to the House for review.
According to the American Kennel Club, 16 dog breeds have cropped ears. Lee Whittier, a dog show judge from Woodstock, said some breeds — like Dobermans — cannot win competitions with droopy ears.
"If you went into the ring without them being cropped, it would reduce your chances significantly because of the way the dog looks," Whittier said.
Dog breeds that traditionally have their ears cropped include Dobermans, boxers, terriers, Great Danes, and schnauzers.
Most clubs have standards for both cropped and natural ears, said Lisa Peterson, a spokeswoman for the AKC. But some judges will penalize droopy ears because they believe erect ears allow the animal to better perform "the function it is bred for," she said.
Some dog clubs have already threatened to boycott Vermont's three summer dog shows over the issue. This outcry, coupled with placing locals at a disadvantage if they show dogs with droopy ears, has some senators looking for a compromise.
The bill's supporters, however, said dog club rules should not dictate whether they ban the procedure because nothing in the legislation forbids dog owners from showing an animal with cropped ears or from going out of state to have the surgery.
The ban would only prevent the operation, which involves slicing off the back half of a dog's ear, from being performed within the state's borders, they said.
"It is not medically necessary," said Sen. James Leddy, D-Chittenden. "That is all I need to know to vote in favor of this bill."
In a poll conducted by the Vermont Veterinary Medical Society, vets recently voted 2-1 in favor of the ban, and encouraged the Legislature to take action.
The bill makes a first offense a civil fine akin to a traffic ticket but with a maximum fine of $3,000. A second offense would be a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail.
The bill does not outlaw the surgery if the vet determines it is necessary to prevent chronic ear infections or other medical problems.
Vets said ear cropping is bloody and causes the animal pain and distress. They predicted other states will ban the operation if Vermont takes the lead. The procedure is already banned in many European countries as well as Australia and New Zealand.
Contact John Zicconi at john.zicconi@rutlandherald.com.
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