A Warwick man has been charged with causing suffering to two dogs by unlawfully cropping their ears.Sherman Darrell, 50, pleaded not guilty yesterday to two counts of causing injury and suffering to a dog, and two counts of cropping, or having another person other than a licenced veterinarian, crop a dog’s ears.The four charges are said to have occurred between an unknown date and November 24, 2012. The dogs were said to be Cão Fila de São Miguel, sometimes called São Miguel Cattle Dogs, a breed which traditionally have their ears cropped short.Three others also appeared before the court in connection to similar offences, but charges were not put to them. All three however indicated that they intended to plead not guilty.Mr Darrell was released on $1,000 bail until next week, when the matter is to be mentioned. The three others yet to be charged were also told to return on the same date.Cropping, the partial removal of the external ear of a dog, was originally used to prevent the ears from being torn or bitten in fights with other animals. The procedure is now more commonly performed for cosmetic purposes, and is required as breed standard for some breeds of show dog.