Nottingham Forest midfielder Jesse Lingard has shared pictures and videos of his 'mutilated' dogs on social media - prompting massive backlash. Check it out below:
The 29-year-old posed with his two dogs, Creed and Cash, in a post shared on Instagram earlier this week.
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It has received 126,000 likes at the time of writing, but many are furious with Lingard.
Lingard was accused of animal cruelty after fans spotted his dogs with cropped ears.
A dog's ears are cropped between six and 12 weeks old. The procedure involves the removal of a dog's outer ears.
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It is illegal in the United Kingdom unless carried out by a vet for medical reasons.
Lingard is active on social media and the England international has 9.7 million followers on Instagram.
Vet Rory Cowlam wants the former Manchester United man to use his platform more responsibly and commented under the post: "Jesse, do you understand the issues with these dogs?
"The reason you're getting so many negative comments here is because these dogs have been mutilated! Ear cropping is an abhorrent practice, done simply for looks and is an incredibly painful surgical procedure with months of splinting too.
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"I would love you to turn around and use your platform to educate people on why this is wrong, and understand that it is illegal in the UK for a very good reason!"
Another vet, Sean McCormack, took to Twitter and tweeted a picture of Lingard and his dogs with England and Nottingham Forest's accounts tagged.
He fumed: Another day, another shallow celeb parading mutilated dogs on social media for clout, to make himself look hard. What gives @JesseLingard? And do you think this is a good look for your player @NFFC @EnglandFootball? A cosmetic mutilation illegal on animal cruelty grounds!
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While someone else added: "Disgusting behaviour from anyone… and even worse from a public figure."
Lingard joined Forest in the summer, ending a 22-year association with boyhood club United. He's featured six times this season but is yet to score a goal.
SPORTbible has contacted Jesse Lingard's representatives for comment.
Topics: Jesse Lingard, Nottingham Forest, England
Daniel Marland