TYRESE DAWOOD FROM URMSTON, GREATER MANCHESTER, CONVICTED OVER ILLEGAL EAR CROPPING OF DOGS

In a recent court case that has drawn significant attention, Tyrese Dawood, a resident of Urmston in Greater Manchester, was found guilty of a serious animal welfare violation involving his pet dog. Born on 21 February 2001 and residing at 32 Wendover Road, Dawood was involved in an incident where he arranged for his 11-week-old American bully puppy to undergo ear cropping, a procedure that is illegal under UK law.

Despite being prohibited from keeping animals due to previous restrictions, Dawood took his dog, originally named Draco, to a veterinary clinic for routine vaccinations on February 2, 2021. At that time, the dog’s ears were in perfect condition, fully intact, and healthy. However, just two weeks later, Draco was taken back to the vet, and it was discovered that his ears had been surgically cropped. The veterinarian who examined Draco noted that the procedure appeared to have been performed either by a professional or someone with considerable experience, which raised concerns about the illegal nature of the operation.

The vet further stated that although Draco was not suffering at the time of the examination, the ear mutilation was unnecessary and directly contravened the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The ears, which had been in perfect condition before, were now altered in a way that caused unnecessary suffering to the animal.

When the RSPCA intervened and visited Dawood’s residence, he initially claimed that Draco had been stolen and returned with his ears cropped. However, investigations revealed no evidence supporting the theft claim. The police were also not made aware of any theft, and the story did not hold up under scrutiny.

During questioning, Dawood told inspector Emma Dingley that he had purchased Draco for £2,000 but insisted that the dog had been stolen and returned with its ears cropped. Inspector Dingley’s inquiries included speaking to the store where the theft was supposedly reported, but no evidence of such an incident was found. Later, Dawood was interviewed at his home under caution, with a solicitor present. During this interview, he provided photographs of Draco and showed the inspector some scissors he used to remove staples from the dog’s ears.

An expert veterinarian who examined Draco confirmed that Dawood was aware of the pain caused by the ear wounds on February 8, 2021. The wounds had metal staples in place, and despite knowing that Draco was in pain, Dawood removed these staples himself rather than seeking professional veterinary treatment. The vet emphasized that this act likely prolonged the animal’s suffering, which could have persisted for at least three days or longer, due to the pain and irritation caused by the wounds and staples.

In response to the case, inspector Dingley condemned the practice of ear cropping, describing it as a “horrific, immoral, unnecessary and repulsive practice” that offers no benefits to the dogs and can lead to lifelong health, behavioral, and social issues. She stressed that such procedures are performed solely for cosmetic reasons and urged the public to be aware that ear cropping is illegal and harmful.

As a result of his actions, Dawood was sentenced to pay a fine of £500, along with costs of £2,000 and a victim surcharge of £50. Additionally, he received a two-year ban on keeping animals, which will expire in July 2025. Draco, who has since been renamed Obi, has been successfully rehomed and is now living happily in a new environment, free from the trauma of illegal mutilation.