The practice of giving their dogs and cats “Mickey Ears,” a painful and risky cosmetic treatment, has angered Chinese pet owners.
Veterinarians are denouncing the practice, describing it as needless and cruel. This disturbing fad, which has people outraged and raised worries about animal welfare, includes chopping the ears of animals into a circular form that resembles the famous Mickey Mouse.
Online retailers provide ‘DIY’ clamps that let pet owners to do the mutilation at home, while pet clinics in China provide this surgery for as little as 300 yuan (£33).
Outrage is sparked by Chinese pet owners who torture their animals with excruciating Mickey ear cosmetics.—Welbo
Outrage is sparked when Chinese pet owners subject their animals to excruciating “mickey ear” cosmetics.
There are two phases to the procedure: cutting the ears during a half-hour anesthetic procedure and a 20–60-day “styling phase” that calls for regular modifications to keep the correct shape. Although the technique is currently uncommon in the majority of veterinary hospitals, it is more popular in dog kennels and breeding facilities.
Unauthorized internet retailers have come under fire for peddling instruments such as “Mickey Ear” clamps. Some clamps are said to cut off the blood supply to certain areas of the animal’s ear, which leads to the ear falling off and dying.
People are calling for the operation to be banned and for the government to take action against dishonest veterinarians since, despite public uproar, there is no law in China prohibiting this practice.
Kennel Club CEO Bill Lambert criticizes the practice, stating that dogs are not fashion accessories and that such practices do not take their welfare into account.
Dogs’ inability to communicate their feelings through ear movements is compromised, which affects the relationship between owners and their pets. Dogs voluntarily swivel their ears to allow sound to enter their ear canals; therefore, changing the shape of their ears may also be harmful to their hearing.
Even though it’s against the law in the UK, the RSPCA has seen a sharp increase in the number of dogs entering its care who have trimmed ears. There are worries that this inhumane practice may normalize because of celebrity culture and social media photos, with celebrities unintentionally contributing to its appeal.
