A woman has been fined after failing to take her dog to the vet when its ears were cropped.

Scottish SPCA investigators visited the home of Lisa Barrett in Blantyre on August 16, 2022, where they found Karma.

The American XL bully puppy had her ears cropped, a procedure which is illegal in the UK and causes dogs pain and discomfort.

Karma was removed from the home as investigators were concerned for her welfare, and they concluded that the pooch had her ears cropped around two or three weeks prior to them finding her.

Barrett only took Karma to a vet for vaccinations, not to treat her ears.

The 39-year-old pleaded guilty to failing to provide veterinary treatment for her puppy at Hamilton Sheriff Court on July 31.

She has been handed a £300 fine with £20 victim surcharge.

A Scottish SPCA special investigations unit inspector involved in the case said: “This illegal procedure would have caused Karma considerable pain and discomfort for purely cosmetic reasons.

"In the UK, as ear cropping is a prohibited procedure, any operation is also unlikely to be carried out with appropriate anaesthetic or pain relief.

“Barrett did not take Karma to see a veterinary surgeon after the illegal procedure had been carried and, even then, she was taken to the veterinary clinic for her vaccinations and not for her ears.

“Karma had the stitches removed from her ears after she came into Barrett’s care. The stitches were not removed by a vet.

“While we’re pleased Barrett was fined we’re extremely disappointed that she was not given a ban on keeping animals.

“The cruelty involved in ear cropping is horrific and we feel the sentence should reflect that.

“If anyone has concerns about the welfare of an animal they should call our animal helpline on 03000 999 999.”