Rosario Monachino
Joey Essex has returned a dog he was planning on adopting after facing a backlash due to the animal’s cropped ears.
The Only Way Is Essex star, 32, recently shared a now-deleted Instagram post of the puppy with the caption ‘newest member’ of the family.
However, people quickly noticed the dog’s cropped ears, which is illegal in the UK unless there was a medical reason for it.
Speaking to the MailOnline, Essex addressed this by saying: “I really wanted to give the dog a home, I fell in love with him.
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“But me taking him on as a pet would justify this cruel procedure, which will give the wrong message to my fans and followers.
“I’m an animal lover.”
He has now returned the dog and announced he will sign a petition against animal mutilation, however, this has resulted in the reality star facing even more backlash.
On Twitter, one person posted: “Um…? Joey Essex ‘adopted’ a dog but has now returned it because of the backlash? Whole thing sounds suss and most likely was purchased. If it was adopted, give the dog a loving home and use your platform to advocate against ear docking.”
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Someone else commented: “So Joey Essex decided not to adopt a Doberman because he’d had his ear cropped. He claims adopting the dog would mean he endorses the procedure. Never have I heard a bigger load of s***. It does not mean you endorse ear cropping, it means you loved him enough to give him a home!”
“Please don’t return this poor dog, it doesn’t reflect on you that its ears are cropped, just do a public piece condemning ear cropping and then give him a home,” a third user posted.
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