CHEVEZ DAVIES FROM WALSALL CONVICTED OVER ILLEGAL DOG EAR CROPPING IN ALDRIDGE

In a significant case highlighting animal cruelty, Chevez Davies, a resident of Walsall, was found guilty of involvement in the illegal ear cropping of six bulldog puppies at his property in Aldridge. The incident came to light after a raid conducted by the RSPCA, which was prompted by intelligence suggesting that dogs with surgically altered ears were being kept at Davies' residence.

On the morning of October 1, 2020, authorities executed a warrant at Davies' home located at 5 Grange Avenue, Aldridge. Although Davies was not present at the time, the RSPCA officers, accompanied by police, discovered six young bulldogs confined within an enclosure in his backyard. All six puppies exhibited signs of having undergone ear cropping, a procedure that is both painful and illegal for cosmetic purposes under animal welfare laws.

Inspectors noted that the puppies appeared to be in good physical condition, but the mutilation of their ears was unmistakable. RSPCA inspector Kate Levesley confirmed that the dogs' ears had been cropped, and they lacked their full natural ears. She emphasized that the condition of the animals was consistent with recent surgical alteration, which is prohibited unless performed for medical reasons.

During the court proceedings, prosecutor Angelica Rokad explained that veterinary experts testified cropping causes a range of emotional distress, including anxiety and fearfulness, and that the dogs likely endured pain for up to two weeks following the procedure. She further explained that cropping impairs a dog's ability to communicate with other dogs and hampers humans' capacity to interpret canine behavior, thus affecting the animals' welfare.

Davies, who chose to represent himself in court, claimed that he had owned around 30 dogs and that he typically paid an extra £500 for those with cropped ears. He insisted he did not personally arrange the procedure but refused to identify who might have performed the amputation. He stated, “I’m not going to say they came from this person or that person. I’m not going to be thinking I’m a rat to bring trouble to my door. I know it’s not allowed. I’m not stupid enough to get a dog then crop its ears then put it on my Instagram page. It’s sad what happens to the dogs. I like the dogs because of what they look like. I have never had any of them dogs with ears then chopped the ears off.”

When warned by the court clerk that his statements could be seen as implicating others, Davies responded, “I don’t know who the person who done it is. Even if I did I wouldn’t say. It’s caused big drama for me already. If I done it I would take it on the chin. I’m not going to be a rat and send the RSPCA to knock on other people’s doors and put my life at risk, my kids’ lives at risk.”

The bench expressed skepticism about Davies' credibility, noting that his story was inconsistent and lacked straightforwardness. The chairman of the court confirmed that Davies permitted the ear cropping and found him guilty on all four charges related to the illegal procedure.

As a result, Davies was sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to pay costs of £1,000 and a victim surcharge of £128. Additionally, he received a two-year ban from keeping animals, which will expire in August 2023. This case underscores ongoing concerns about illegal animal mutilation and the importance of enforcement to protect animal welfare in the Walsall and Aldridge areas.