The breeder who supplied Simone Biles with her new Doberman Pinscher puppy—whose ears were cropped—says he has been hit with a wave of harassment and threats since posting about the Olympic champion’s purchase.
William Roots, who runs the Georgia kennel Regal Empire Dobermans, told Newsweek he has received death threats and racist abuse after sharing that Biles and her husband, NFL player Jonathan Owens, got their puppy through his business.
Newsweek previously reported that the animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) criticized Biles for buying from a breeder, arguing she was “fueling the homeless animal crisis” and supporting a “greedy breeder,” while also “getting a dog whose ears were cut off.”
“The procedure is done by a licensed veterinarian,” Roots told Newsweek. “And a lot of people will argue and say ‘well, it’s illegal in Europe,’ and I understand that, but I live in America.”
When Newsweek relayed Roots’ remarks to PETA, spokesperson Moira Colley responded: “Just because something is still legal (for now), doesn’t mean it isn’t cruel.”
Why It Matters
The controversy underscores a long-running divide in the U.S. over breeding practices, cosmetic procedures like ear cropping and tail docking, and the way celebrity decisions can amplify public debate—sometimes escalating into online pile-ons and harassment.
What To Know
Regal Empire Dobermans posted a photo of Biles, Owens and their puppy on Instagram on December 14, writing: “We would like to give a monster shoutout to (Simone Biles, Joshua Blackwell and Jonathan Owens).
“We truly appreciate you all for selecting Regal Empire Dobermans to provide you with your new Doberman puppies. We know they will be great additions to your families!”
The post drew hundreds of comments, including many criticizing the decision to purchase from a breeder and to dock the puppy’s ears and tail. PETA also posted about the situation on social media, drawing more than 20,000 views on X and thousands of likes on Instagram.
Roots said the attention quickly turned hostile. He told Newsweek he received threatening emails and messages—including ones he shared with the outlet—such as “I hope one of those dogs attacks your stupid a**” and “I hope you, your family and anyone dumb enough to call you a friend suffers horribly.” Roots also said he has been called the n-word multiple times.
“I own a business and I run it well,” he added. “I never thought this was something that I would have to deal with.”
Roots argued that people choose cropping and docking for multiple reasons and pointed to endorsement in breed standards. The American Kennel Club’s official Doberman Pinscher standard describes ears that are “normally cropped and carried erect” and a tail “docked at approximately second joint.”
“Now, for people who want to compete with their dog, there’s many competitions they can’t even get in if the ears aren’t cropped and docked,” Roots said.
He also claimed there are “health benefits,” including improved hearing and reducing the risk of a tail break. But the American Veterinary Medical Association has said there are “no substantiated benefits” linked to ear cropping or tail docking. The association opposes the procedures and encourages removing them from breed standards.
“Ultimately, it is a client’s decision what they want to do with their animal in the realm of legality, and I provide that for them,” Roots said.
He compared the practice to “when people get their little girl’s ears pierced or their son circumcised.”
“I have a lot of people telling me I’m a horrible person,” Roots said, “but they’re the same people who advocate to get their pets spayed or neutered which is a surgery that changes the animal’s hormone production, ability to reproduce.”
“The surgeries that we do are just an alteration, it doesn’t render the ear defective,” he added.
The American Veterinary Medical Association notes that “well-controlled studies addressing the animal welfare implications of cropping dogs’ ears do not exist… case studies support certain risks associated with the procedure.”
Roots acknowledged risk but said he has “never had any ear procedure or tail procedure go wrong that has led to permanent disfigurement or the ears no longer working or the tail no longer working.”
He also criticized “backyard breeders” who perform the procedures improperly, saying his puppies go to veterinarians, are placed under anesthesia, and are given pain medication and antibiotics.
“And, honestly, I’ve been doing this for 10 years, and once the procedure is done, the dog is back to normal after 24 to 48 hours,” Roots said.
PETA rejected Roots’ defense. Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch told Newsweek: “Breeding more dogs while shelters are flooded with homeless animals, and cutting off their ears and tails for a particular look is selfish and cruel. Responsible people don’t ‘customize’ their dogs as if they were made of clay; they adopt and never buy.”
“PETA urges William Roots to stop breeding and mutilating dogs, spay or neuter those he has, and at the very least, stop spreading dangerous disinformation about cruel and painful tail docking and ear cropping,” Nachminovitch added.
Roots pushed back on the idea that adoption is always the safer or better route.
“What people have to remember is that when you adopt, you are bringing an animal into your home that you have zero idea about the history of this dog,” he said.
“You don’t know what trauma this dog has. You don’t know what triggers this dog and you are taking a chance by bringing especially an animal the size of a Doberman into your home.
“I salute the people who do the adoption. I think it’s a beautiful thing but there is risks involved…but not everyone wants a shelter dog.”
What People Are Saying
PETA spokesperson Moira Colley told Newsweek: “Ear cropping is banned in numerous countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Colombia, South Africa, Israel, and nearly all of Europe—and just because something is still legal (for now), doesn’t mean it isn’t cruel. The law evolves as the public demands it to and the public is getting angry at dogs being mutilated for a look.”
Dog breeder William Roots told Newsweek: “These dogs are literally my family, I love these dogs. They’re more than just pets for me. When I go places with them, they’re like my children. I really love my dogs.”
He added: “(Dobermans) are just a very phenomenal dog that I’ve just been really in love with…and I wanted to try to share that with the world.”
What Happens Next
Biles and Owens have not publicly responded to the backlash or to the threats Roots said he has received. Meanwhile, PETA continues to push for an end to ear cropping and breeding for cosmetic traits—an argument likely to intensify whenever high-profile figures find themselves at the center of the debate.
