Jordan Banjo, Another Celebrity Violating the UK Ear Cropping Ban

Diversity star Jordan Banjo has joined a growing number of “celebrities” who proudly display their cropped and docked dogs on social media despite the ban on cropping ears, all the while protesting either ignorance or indifference to how their actions fuel demand; only interested in looking cool.

When he uploaded pictures in December 2020 of Sergio with cropped ears on social media, they were met with widespread condemnation – something which seemed to take them by surprise. He later responded saying in his defence:

“I can’t pretend that I knew all of the facts surrounding cropped ears; to be honest I never even considered it at first. Sergio didn’t need his ears cut for fashion purposes or import him; it upsets me to think that any dog goes through such trauma just so they appear “cooler.””” Jordan Banjo

Such demonstrably false displays of ignorance and distress over animal cruelty exemplify the mentality of people who treat animals like adorable objects rather than living creatures.

Cropping is solely cosmetic and poses no health benefits to dogs, yet remains illegal since 2006 when the Animal Welfare Act made it so. But it remains commonplace to see dogs with cropped ears being freely paraded on streets or social media despite this law, especially given that such dogs can easily be imported from Europe or America where there is no ban on importation, thus disproportional to this one country’s law.

There are companies which legally import dogs with cropped ears into the UK, though this should not prevent owners from travelling abroad to have it done and returning with their animals afterwards.

Cropping is solely cosmetic and provides no health benefits to dogs. It is an inhumane, unnecessary procedure done more for vanity than well-being; often instilled with the belief that it makes their dogs appear the way they “should”.

Lawmakers need to tighten restrictions, making the possession of such animals illegal. Once their ears or tail have been altered permanently, there’s no going back; but prosecuting anyone found in possession of an altered puppy with stiff fines and publicity will send a powerful message and deter people.