LESLEY CHRISTOPHERSON AND CALUM REID FROM WAVERTREE AND ANFIELD CAUSE PAINFUL EAR CROPPING OF PUPPIES

In a disturbing case that has shocked animal welfare advocates, Leslie Christopherson, a resident of Picton Road in Wavertree, Liverpool, and Calum Reid, from 7 Donaldson Street in Anfield, Liverpool, were found guilty of subjecting two young puppies to cruel ear cropping procedures. The incident, which took place in April 2021, involved the mutilation of the puppies' ears in a manner that is both illegal and highly painful under UK law.

Leslie Christopherson, born on December 30, 1991, claimed that he was merely looking after the two dogs for his friend, Calum Reid, who is known for his background as a backyard breeder and has a history of domestic abuse. Reid, born in January 1985, was identified as the actual owner of the puppies. Both men appeared before the Liverpool Magistrates Court to face charges related to causing unnecessary suffering to the animals.

The case was initiated after the RSPCA received a report from a concerned member of the public. The report indicated that Christopherson was in possession of two puppies with visibly cropped ears. Inspector Naomi Norris was dispatched to Christopherson’s residence on Picton Road in Wavertree. Upon arrival on April 29, 2021, she was shown two puppies, a grey male named Blue and a female named April. Inspector Norris observed that both puppies had fresh-looking ear injuries, which appeared red, sore, and infected. She also noticed bits of what looked like cotton, which Christopherson later explained was talcum powder used to clean the wounds.

Naomi Norris recounted that Christopherson admitted there had been no veterinary treatment for the puppies’ ears and stated, “I know the ears are illegal, I’m looking after them for a mate.” It was then that Christopherson identified Reid as the owner of the dogs. The police seized both puppies, and they were taken to the RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital for veterinary assessment. The examination confirmed that the puppies’ ears were painful, infected, and in a state of distress.

Reid was interviewed and claimed that he had purchased the puppies with their ears already cropped, asserting that he was unaware that the procedure was illegal in the UK. An independent veterinarian examined Blue and April and provided a detailed report to the court. The vet explained that the tissues of the ear pinna are highly sensitive, and surgical intervention causes significant inflammation and pain. The veterinarian concluded that both dogs had suffered due to the ear cropping, with pain and irritation likely lasting at least five days or more.

Naomi Norris emphasized the RSPCA’s stance against ear cropping, condemning it as a painful, unnecessary, and purely cosmetic procedure. She highlighted that such mutilation can have detrimental effects on a dog’s health, behavior, and overall welfare. Norris also expressed concern over the increasing popularity of cropped ears among certain celebrities, noting that social media and advertising often glamorize this practice. She urged public figures to set a better example by promoting responsible dog ownership and condemning cosmetic mutilation.

Both men faced sentencing for their actions. Leslie Christopherson received a suspended eight-week jail sentence for 12 months, along with 20 days of rehabilitation, 100 hours of unpaid work, a fine of £278, and a two-year ban on keeping animals, which expired in November 2023. Calum Reid was sentenced to a one-year community order, including 120 hours of unpaid work and 30 rehabilitation days, with costs of £345. Reid’s three-year ban on keeping animals will expire in December 2024.

Additional background information reveals that Reid had previously been involved in criminal activity, including a 28-month custodial sentence in 2014 for threatening his estranged partner, Danielle Hinnigan, with violence. In May 2021, Reid also established a company called LC Bu11ys Ltd, which was dissolved in October 2022. His address was listed as 34 St. Andrews View, Liverpool, L33 1ZF.

This case underscores the ongoing issues surrounding illegal animal mutilation and highlights the importance of public vigilance and enforcement of animal welfare laws in the UK.