Cruelty row over Irina Shayk’s Vogue photoshoot that features doberman with cropped ears 

Vogue magazine has come under fire from dog lovers over a fashion shoot featuring a doberman with mutilated ears.

The photographs in the current edition appear to show the animal’s ears have been ‘cropped’ – a procedure causing dogs’ ears to grow upright.

The practice is outlawed in the UK – but the dog features in a New York shoot, alongside Russian supermodel Irina Shayk.

Last night, animal welfare group Peta accused Vogue of promoting pet mutilation.

A Peta spokesman told The Mail on Sunday: ‘It’s totally out of touch to encourage people to acquire dogs who have been subjected to painful mutilation of their sensitive ears, which is illegal in the UK, except when medically necessary. 

Dog ear ‘cropping’ is outlawed in the UK – but the dog features in a New York shoot, alongside Russian supermodel Irina Shayk (pictured)

‘Peta asks Vogue to address this misstep by apologising for the error and letting readers know that dogs ‘talk’ with their ears, and that cutting parts of them off not only is traumatic, but also robs them of a vital means of expression, communication and balance.’

The spokesman added that the photoshoot sent ‘a message that animals are mere fashion accessories, rather than living, feeling beings to be respected’.

An image also features in editor Edward Enninful’s monthly letter to readers. 

This is not the first time his decisions have fallen foul of animal rights campaigners – an advert in the magazine from the International Fur Federation caused an outcry.

Ear cropping was outlawed in England and Wales in 2006 but animal charities have logged a increase in it in recent years. 

The photographs in the current edition appear to show the animal’s ears have been ‘cropped’ – a procedure causing dogs’ ears to grow upright (pictured)

The RSPCA said reports of the mutilation had risen by 1,243 per cent from 2015 to 2021.

Experts believe a reason for the trend is celebrities sharing photographs of their own ear-cropped dogs on social media. 

‘It’s become a fashion statement on Instagram,’ said Jordan Shelley, an animal behaviourist.

A spokesman for British Vogue said: ‘We thank Peta for raising this issue with us and for the work they do protecting animals around the world. The photoshoot took place in New York City and is a feature shared with British Vogue from the US, where the practice is legal.’