Pit bull rescued after owner does ‘home chop job’ on his ears

Scissors used on dog without anesthesia considered animal cruelty

In the case of Vincent the pit bull mix, life has been largely trying. But you wouldn’t know it after spending a few minutes with him.

According to the St. Charles Animal Shelter, Vincent’s owner tried to perform a medical procedure, called ear cropping, on him without the benefit of anesthesia.

Ear cropping is where the dog’s ears are cut with scissors to achieve a specific look, and if done by an untrained hand, it can be incredibly painful to the dog, as was the case with Vincent.

“Ear cropping is a procedure most veterinarians do not offer, but we also have a few in the area that are good at it,” said Jena Troxler, head of the St. Charles Parish Department of Animal Control. “However, it requires skill and abundant pain medications, as the ears are very vascular and sensitive parts of the body.”

These caveats weren’t in play for this case, and Vincent suffered because of it.

Troxler said the “home chop job” of this dog’s ears constitutes cruelty to animals, and as she described, that process was not likely anything resembling pleasant. Ear cropping is done strictly for cosmetic reasons and has no utility to the dog’s well being or health.

Vincent was fortunate enough to come across a Good Samaritan, who rescued him and eventually brought him to the safe haven of the animal shelter so he could find a better home. He was taken in by Animal Control officer Pam Talley, who said the Samaritan nursed Vincent back to a healthier place.

“When she got him, he was all bloody and nasty looking,” Talley said. “His ears were just cut off while he was still awake. It’s terrible. But he’s still just so sweet. He’s great … he gets along with all the other dogs, cats and kittens here.”

Troxler added that a major issue in the parish revolves around irresponsible pit bull ownership and owners’ lack of willingness to control their reproduction.

“Pit bulls are often attached to owners who are less responsible in society in terms of spaying and neutering,” Troxler said. “We can offer it free and they won’t do it. (To them) the dog is worthless if it can’t breed. They don’t see the bigger picture, how they end up in bad homes, have puppies and problem continues.”

As such, a pit bull can find some tough circumstances when it comes to finding a home. With an overpopulation of pit bulls, the animal shelter must pick through them and choose those who are socialized with other animals.

“They are often a tougher breed to adopt out,” Troxler said. “Chihuahuas are typically more aggressive than a pit bull. It’s just if you get an aggressive pit bull, it can do more damage. Vincent’s great, though.”

Vincent now needs a “forever home” to completely put his hardships behind him.

“He is great with people and dogs and has passed his behavior test with flying colors,” Troxler said. “All of his veterinary care is up to date, including heartworm negative and neutered.

“He’s great so he will wait around until he finds a new family. Until then, we have volunteers that walk him and let him know he will never be in the hands of one to mistreat him again.”

Talley noted he has been with the shelter since April 27 and for the entirety of that time he has been “very well-behaved.”

“Even after all he’s been through, he’s still super sweet,” she said. “He’s as friendly as can be.”