A puppy had her ears butchered and stitched together with fishing line.
Cruel owners Dawn and Louise Hillbeck have been banned from keeping dogs after they admitted illegal ear cropping to be carried out on the pooch.
Four month old Russia was found mutilated by animal welfare officers who swooped on their home in Roxburghshire.
The American bully pup's ears were swollen and infected, and it was clear the cropping had been carried out by an amateur.
The Scottish SPCA explained they were tipped off that the 23 and 25-year-old were keeping dogs with cropped ears.
A spokesman said: "Hillbeck and Hillbeck allowed the illegal procedure of ear cropping to be carried out, something that is completely superficial and has become a trend among owners of the bully breed.
“We received information that the offenders were keeping American bully dogs with cropped ears and that there was a puppy, who we now know as Russia, who had freshly cropped ears.
“Due to the immediate concern for the dogs in the Hillbeck’s care, we were granted a search warrant. We found three bully puppies on the premises and one of those was Russia."
Both of Russia's ear flaps had been freshly removed and were still stitched.
The spokesman added: "The ears were very badly swollen and infected.
“It was clear that the stitches had not been administered by a vet, resulting in the wounds looking inflamed and very painful.
“The material used for stitching was consistent with fishing line. This is evidence that a qualified vet wasn’t used to carry out the procedure."
Another two puppies found on the premises still had their ears intact and were also taken into SSPCA care.
The Hillbecks, then of The Old Bothy, Whisgills, Newcastleton, plead guilty at Jedburgh Sheriff Court to permitting the procedure to be carried out.
They were given a one year conduct requirement order, 80 hours community payback and a five year ban on dealing and trading dogs
The spokesman pointed out: "Russia was not protected from suffering by those responsible for her care and also was not given the veterinary attention she needed for this needless cosmetic mutilation.
“Our special investigations unit has seen a rise in the trade of American bully puppies.
"They can sell for up to £6,000 per pup and ear cropping seems to be a desirable feature for these dogs, to boost the price tag even higher.
“The pair now reside in England so as part of their conduct requirement order, they will be required to complete an RSPCA education programme and they are subject to random home checks for a year.
“While we are pleased the court acknowledges the suffering in this case, we would have supported a ban on the owning and keeping of all animals.
“We are aware of organised criminals profiteering from this trade and we feel stronger sentencing would act as a deterrent and send out the message that mutilating an animal for superficial and monetary reasons is completely unacceptable.”
If anyone has concerns regarding the welfare of an animal, or information on ear cropping, they should contact the confidential Scottish SPCA animal helpline on 03000 999 999.
