Simone Biles dog breeder defends ear cropping amid backlash

The dog breeder behind the Doberman ear-cropping controversy involving Olympic champion Simone Biles and her husband, Jonathan Owens, says he has received death threats online but defends the procedure as a routine practice among licensed veterinarians in the United States. William Regal, who operates Regal Empire Dobermans, told TMZ that the operation is commonly performed and justified by safety and health considerations. He said a Doberman’s long tail can break and cause significant pain if left uncropped, and ear cropping is done to prevent hematomas and reduce the risk of injury when dogs are attacked.

Regal emphasized that he did not expect the backlash and insisted that neither he nor the couple has engaged in cruelty. He said Biles had wanted a guard dog for personal protection, and that the couple “has done nothing wrong.” When pressed by social media critics who called ear cropping cruel or cosmetic, Regal’s business account responded with a terse rejoinder: "Because I can … Next question." The exchange has been cited by supporters of the practice and by animal-welfare advocates alike.

Amid the backlash, PETA wrote to Biles and Owens, expressing anger at the decision to purchase a puppy from a breeder and to subject the animal to ear cropping and tail docking. In a letter reviewed by the Daily Mail, the group called the procedure excruciatingly painful and permanently disfiguring for no reason beyond aesthetics. The letter urged the couple to consider shelter dogs and highlighted that many veterinarians refuse to perform the procedure, and that European countries have banned it.

Regal's claims and PETA's stance come as Biles and Owens, who have been married since 2023, expand their dog family. The couple, who divide their time between Texas and Chicago, already own four dogs: two French bulldogs named Lilo and Rambo, and Owens’ English bulldog Zeus, who joined the pair before their dating or marriage. The new Doberman described in reports is part of their current household, reflecting a growing trend among public figures to foster or adopt large-breed dogs for personal protection or companionship.

Reaction to the incident has highlighted broader debates over cosmetic alterations and animal welfare in pet ownership. Animal-rights groups emphasize welfare concerns and point to reports of veterinarians reluctant to perform cropping. Proponents argue the procedures are routine and can prevent injury or medical issues in the breed. The Daily Mail report notes that Biles's representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and that the couple's private life and their pets remain a topic of public interest as fans weigh the morality and practicality of such choices.

Observers say the episode underscores how public figures’ pet choices can ignite online debates about animal care, ethics, and the responsibilities that come with celebrity followers. As the family continues to navigate the spotlight and maintain their four-dog household across two states, questions about welfare, veterinary standards, and potential shifts in consumer attitudes toward breeders may persist in the weeks ahead.