A dog owner has issued an appeal for information after his black Labrador had his ear sliced off while sitting outside a supermarket.

Robin Ballantine, 55, had tied up Cole outside the Springhill branch of Tesco in Northern Ireland on September 21 to pick up some groceries before heading home.

But after getting home, he noticed a trail of blood around the house, and saw that the tip of Cole’s ear has gone.

Cole the Labrador had the tip of his ear cut off as he sat outside Tesco (Picture: Mirrorpix)

The vet said the injury could have only been done with either scissors or a blade as it is such a straight cut.(Picture: Mirrorpix)

The poor dog had also been whimpering and did not want anyone to stroke him, particularly men.


He took him straight to the vet, who said the injury could have only been done with either scissors or a blade as it is such a straight cut.

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When Robin returned to the store, he noticed blood in the area where Cole had been tied up.



Robin told the Belfast Telegraph: ‘He will be ok. Every now and again he shakes his head and lets out a little cry. And you have to be careful around his ears. I notice he backs away from people when he never did before.

‘Cole is such a lovable dog and has always been very friendly, I just can’t understand this.’

The ordeal has left Cole a ‘nervous wreck'(Picture: Tesco Springhill Community Charity)

The incident, which took place between 5:30pm and 8pm on September 21 has been reported to the Police

The cruelty has infuriated people online, and has left Cole a ‘nervous wreck’, but some have criticised Robin for tying him up outside.

Robin said: ‘People are also not too happy with me saying I should not have taken the dogs with me, or not have left him outside for so long.

‘But I had been leaving him there for years and to me he was in a safe, dry place with plenty of people passing by. I’d never any problem before.’

The Tesco Springhill store’s community group have since held a collection for Cole and donated dog treats and money to help with vets bills.

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