PETA calls out Simone Biles and husband after photo of their new puppy with alleged cropped ears surfaces
Gymnast Simone Biles and her husband, NFL player Jonathan Owens, recently became the subject of controversy following the announcement of their new puppy. Today, December 18, 2025, PETA took to Instagram to call out the couple for allegedly getting a Doberman puppy from a breeder, with the added concern of the puppy’s ears allegedly being "cropped." The image shared by PETA shows Biles holding the puppy with her husband, as well as the breeder, and includes text criticizing the couple’s decision. The post sparked a wave of backlash from animal lovers, questioning the ethics of supporting breeders instead of adopting from shelters.
PETA’s Instagram post described how Simone Biles “could’ve gone for gold by adopting,” but instead “fueled the homeless animal crisis” by purchasing a dog whose ears were allegedly cropped. The onscreen text with the image further stated, “ear cropping is painful, unnecessary, and done purely for looks,” stressing that shelters are overflowing with adoptable animals. The image, shared by @regalempiredobermans (the breeder), originally posted on December 14, showed the couple with their new puppy and expressed gratitude for choosing their service. The post from the breeder also thanked Biles and Owens for selecting them to provide their new dog, calling the puppy a “great addition” to their family.
The controversy ignited a firestorm of reactions from PETA’s followers. One user, @cindyliuwho09, commented on the post, “I’m sorry, but getting an animal for your home is something you do for the benefit of the animal; it should never be for you, what you like aesthetically. You’re not picking out a sofa for your house.” Another user, @lipsticklashesandlouboutins, pointed out, “If they wanted a Doberman, they could have gone to a Doberman-specific rescue group and gotten one that was rescued off the streets or from a mill.” Some were even more critical, given Biles’ own experience as a foster child who was adopted. One Instagram user remarked, “For a foster kid who was herself adopted, this makes me sick.”
Animal lovers in the comments under the breeder's post started promoting adoption, to which @regalempiredobermans replied, "Imagine someone having the unmitigated gall to tell other adults what to do and how to live." Meanwhile, when some questioned the cruelty of cropping ears for human enjoyment, the breeder defended, writing, "Because I can…. Next question."
Ear cropping, as discussed by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), is a controversial procedure that involves surgically removing a portion of a dog’s ears to alter their shape. This is usually done when dogs are between 6 and 12 weeks old and is often intended to make the ears stand upright. The AVMA explains that while some people perceive ear cropping as a standard practice for certain breeds like Dobermans, it has no health benefits for the dog.
The procedure is painful and carries significant risks, including infection and complications during recovery. Dogs may also experience prolonged pain, requiring bandaging and isolation during the healing process. PETA’s criticism also extends to the decision to purchase the dog from a breeder rather than adopting from a shelter, where millions of animals await homes. According to Shelter Animals Count, an estimated 2.8 million cats and dogs entered shelters in the first half of 2025, with over 290,000 animals euthanized.