Southampton man cropped ears of American Bulldogs 'for show'

Seyed Hussain Alavizadeh cropped the ears of seven dogs, all American Bullies, between December 28, 2021 and March 18, 2022.

Southampton Crown Court heard how he was caught when the RSPCA, assisted by the police, intervened and brought a case against him. 

The 40-year-old of Laburnum Road, Southampton was interviewed and claimed that he didn't own at least one of the dogs.

He later pleaded guilty to seven counts of carrying out a prohibited procedure on a protected animal.

READ MORE: Man admits illegal ear cropping of seven dogs in Southampton

Prosecutor Joel Wootten said the procedure would cause the dog's ears to become "inflamed and painful", adding that it would result in "significant suffering".

"It affects their communication with both humans and other dogs for the rest of their lives", he added.

But speaking at his sentencing hearing on Thursday, Alavizadeh said that when he first bought a dog its ears had already been cropped in America where the procedure is legal.

He said that American Bullies can compete in special shows, similar to Crufts, adding: "People do it (crop ears) for show. People do it because they like the look of it."

Some of the dogs were part of the same litter and are named Bora, RZA, Mr T or Tank, Nala, Ice Berg, Ghost and Mooncake.

Man pleads guilty to illegal ear cropping of seven bully dogs in Southampton (Image: RSPCA)

Judge Brian Forster KC said that the dog's ears had been cropped "for show" and that this had been "unnecessary" and caused the animal's "significant pain". 

"Though it can be carried out in certain countries it can’t be carried out in this country.

"In each case it was deliberate and it was done in each case knowing that the law did not allow the procedure to be carried out.

"It was done for the purpose of show."

Alavizadeh received a 16-week sentence suspended for 18 months and must carry out 100 hours of unpaid work. 

A disqualification order was also made banning him from owning or participating in the keeping of a dog for the next five years. 

He must pay a £156 surcharge - but the court heard he can't afford to pay prosecution costs due to his own financial situation. 

Mitigating, Andrew Houston told the court his client is remorseful and has no relevant convictions. 

He added that "there is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation" and that he is a primary carer for his relatives who would be affected if he went to prison. 

The judge awarded the prosecution £12,820.82 from central funds adding: "It is important the work that the RSPCA is carrying out in bringing cases of this nature before the courts."