Rita Ora has come under fire for appearing to be glamorising the cropping of dog ears in her new music video.
The pop star released a mini-film shoot to go with her new EP Bang, filmed in Bulgaria.
But the video features what looks like a pitbull with close-cropped ears, a cruel practise that has been banned in the UK, but it is not illegal to import animals who have already been mutilated.
The Focus on Animal Law group (FOAL) is a made up of leading veterinary bodies and animal welfare activists and is working on a new petition against the import of cropped dogs from abroad.
FOAL co-director Jordan Shelley launched the petition to close all legal loopholes allowing ear cropping to continue and said he was “disappointed” by Rita’s actions.
He said: “I’m disappointed to see the use of a cropped dog in Rita Ora’s video, as the use of mutilated dogs in the media is playing a huge role in the normalisation of ear cropping and the rise in cropped dog ownership.
“Alongside our call to government to ban the importation of cropped dogs we urge everyone with a platform and media reach to no longer share any images of cropped dogs unless specifically for the purposes of education and rehoming, so that together we can stop the glamourisation and normalisation of this unnecessary painful cosmetic procedure.”
He explained that the glamorising of the brutal practise by celebrities was what inspired FOAL to make the petition in the first place.
“The number of celebrities that were getting cropped dogs and companies using them in advertising was a real driver for us,” he said.
“It is time as a great animal-loving nation that we say no to this trade and the increase in the “fashion” of cropped dog ownership, which is why we are asking the government to look at how we can stop this worrying trend.”
Fans took to Twitter to slam the pop star for featuring the dog.
“This sucks Rita Ora – please stop normalising animal cruelty. #CutTheCrop”, said one fan.
Another said: “@Rita Ora this is simply not ok. Do you not realise what these poor dogs do through to look like this!?”
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A third said: “With all that fame comes a public responsibility to do and be better, for all those who follow them! #FlopNotCrop!”
Animal charity PETA’s Director Elisa Allen said: “PETA joins the RSPCA and every other animal protection advocate in calling for a ban on the importation of dogs with cropped ears, which would send a strong message to breeders, celebrities, and everyone else that maiming dogs for vanity is unacceptable.
“Dogs love humans regardless of the way we look – we’d do well to extend the same kindness to them.
She explained why the panful process is regarded so negatively, saying it has “no place in civilised, humane society.”
Daily Star has approached Rita’s representatives for comment.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
