Animals: Dog Ears

The American Humane Association, with headquarters in Albany, was at hand to congratulate Governor Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1929 when he signed a bill prohibiting the cropping of dogs’ ears in New York. Last week the Association sent its congratulations to another Governor, Pennsylvania’s Gifford Pinchot. for signing a bill which made his State the fifth to ban this practice. Others: Massachusetts, New Jersey, Connecticut.

Like the nicking of horses’ tails (TIME, May 1) ear-cropping is done solely for looks and requires a painful setting process. After the ears are trimmed and pointed a metal mold is taped on to hold them up. This is left for three days, removed for two, sometimes put back for another three. The wounds usually take three weeks to heal. Boston Terrier, Great Dane, Schnauzer, Doberman Pinscher, Brussels Griffon and Bull Terrier are the breeds commonly cropped.