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Jordan Banjo responds to fan backlash over new addition to family

From Digital Spy

The Greatest Dancer host and Diversity star Jordan Banjo has responded after fans criticised him for getting a dog with clipped ears.

Jordan welcomed the new family member, Sergio, on his Instagram earlier in the week, and people pointed out that the dog had the floppy parts of its ears removed – a practice that is illegal in the UK and seen as unethical in many other countries.

Jordan posted an Instagram Story to state that he had no idea and wouldn't have made that decision had he been aware of the practice, promising to do research when it comes to the dog in the future.

Photo credit: Jordan Banjo - Instagram
Photo credit: Jordan Banjo - Instagram

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"I can't pretend to have known all of the information on cropped ears," he wrote. "I don't even want to pretend to be misinformed, to be blunt I didn't even think about it in the first instance.

"I didn't get his ears cut, I didn't even import him, first time I saw Serg he was six months old. Genuinely I appreciate the messages and it upsets me to think that Sergio or any dog goes through this purely to look 'cooler'.

"I saw Sergio, saw his temperament, how he is as a character and fell in love with him and wanted him as part of my family.

"Now I feel awful, really wish it wasn't the case but now what do I do? I'm very rarely in the business of explaining myself but when I feel something's wrong I'll hold my hands up!

Photo credit: Karwai Tang - Getty Images
Photo credit: Karwai Tang - Getty Images

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"I appreciate the messages and advice, thank you all for caring enough to say something and a lot of you in a very polite and educational way, and I hope I make better choices in regards to Serg in the future."

The RSPCA has reported that celebrities including Little Mix's Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Geordie Shore's Aaron Chalmers were sold dogs with cropped ears by a 'celebrity breeder' that was later arrested.


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