CONVICTED (2023) | backyard breeders James William David Musk, born 27 November 1989, of 25 Windmill Green, Ditchingham, Bungay NR35 2QP and Megan Louise Caston, born 18 November 1995 of 2 Barley Close, Harleston IP20 9GB – for allowing illegal ear cropping.
Musk pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering and aiding a prohibited procedure in relation to an XL Bully puppy called Ocean.
The backyard breeder admitted being involved in the mutilation of Ocean whom he had arranged to buy just days after her ear flaps had been cut off to make her look more menacing.
The illegal procedure, which left just a few centimetres of cartilage, led to the dog’s wounds becoming infected.
Both Musk and Caston admitted causing unnecessary suffering after failing to provide pain relief, antibiotics or seek help from vets.
The RSPCA were called in when the dog’s plight was discovered after a police search in Ditchingham, near Bungay, on February 9, 2023,
Sara Pratt, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said photos found on Musk’s phone showed him with Ocean still with her ears shortly before buying her.
Messages exchanged with a dog breeder in Leicestershire included one stating: “I’ll speak to someone, I’ll get the ball rolling”, which Ms Pratt said was a reference to having the puppy’s ear cropped.
Other XL dogs with previously cropped ears were also discovered during the search, including another American Bully called King Kong.
Speaking after the case RSPCA Inspector Dean Astillberry said: “Ear cropping is a horrific immoral, unnecessary and repulsive practice which has absolutely no benefits for the dogs and can cause them lifelong health, behavioural and social problems.
“This is done purely for cosmetic purposes. We would urge the public and anyone looking to buy a puppy to remember this is an illegal procedure, which has a hugely negative impacts for the dogs themselves.
“I am pleased to say Ocean is doing very well and is thriving in her foster home and we would like to thank the Norfolk police officers for all their help and support with this case.”
A spokesperson for Norfolk police said officers had carried out a warrant under the Animal Welfare Act with the RSPCA when Ocean was seized and taken into care.
“Ocean was not microchipped, was unregistered, and had had her ears recently cut off to the base,” they added.
“Her wounds were infected and had ineffective stitching, showing the illegal practice to have been conducted without any appropriate skill or aftercare.
“Collaborative working between the police and the RSPCA led to a successful prosecution of the owners and should discourage anybody considering this procedure.”
Sentencing |
Musk: 20 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months. Banned from owning or looking after animals for 20 years.
Caston: eight-week jail sentence suspended for a year. Banned from involvement with animals for 10 years.