Hotmail
City hopes to ban cosmetic surgery for dogs
West Hollywood would make ear cropping, other procedures illegal
 | FREE VIDEO |
 |
Pet cosmetic surgery ban Feb. 8: West Hollywood's mayor has proposed a law that would make ear cropping and other pet cosmetic surgeries illegal. MSNBC-TV reports. MSNBC |
 | Slideshow |
 | Animal Tracks Find a hunter holds his hawk , a snow-covered pup, a hungry chimp, a merry pair of ring-tailed lemurs, plus more images of cute critters. more photos |
 | Pet health videos |
 TODAY From bow to wow: Pound pups' makeovers Dec. 2: NBC’s Jill Rappaport shows off shelter dogs who have been given makeovers. Richard Gentles, of New York City’s Animal Care and Control, talks about ways to adopt these precious pups. |
Most popular |
| |||
WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. - City officials in West Hollywood, Calif., are trying to ban cosmetic surgery — for pets.
The city’s mayor was introducing a motion on Monday that would prohibit such practices as cropping a dog’s ears or docking tails. Also banned would be procedures such as de-barking, de-fanging, and other surgery performed on animals for 'non-curative' reasons.
Supporters of the ban say these procedures hurt the animals in order to satisfy their owners’ tastes. But some pet owners, including a woman who has raised Doberman Pinschers for 40 years, reject the idea that procedures such as ear-cropping are cruel. (Dobermans routinely have their ears cropped.)
Many European countries already have this type of ban in effect, but Mayor John Duran says it would be a first in the United States.
West Hollywood has already outlawed the de-clawing of cats. And it has designated its residents as pet guardians rather than pet owners.
- Discuss Story On Newsvine
-
Rate Story:
View popularLowHigh - Instant Message
MORE FROM MEDICAL UPDATES |
 Dog to go under Georgia governor's knife |
| Add Medical Updates headlines to your news reader: |
Resource guide