Unfortunately, painful and usually unnecessary animal mutilations such as ear-cropping, tail-docking, declawing and devocalizing are legal in all US states. New York is one of only nine states that regulates ear-cropping, prohibiting it unless carried out by a licensed veterinarian while the dog is under anesthetic. The American Veterinary Medical Association is opposed to the ear-cropping and tail-docking of dogs for cosmetic purposes.