i agree that in this case its cruelty (and stupidity) as she was using it 100% as a marketing ploy...
i think my biggest issues with this howerer is the potentialy damage this could do.
cats and dogs ears are NOT like humans in terms of holes in the ear...
while it can get infected, in most cases its highly unlikely, and is just like putting a tag in a goat or cattle ears...
however, a large enough hole, unlike humans who will always eventually close up, cats and dogs ears dont nessicarily close...
(weve all seen strays with nicks in their ears right?)
however...put something THROUGH that hole in an animal prone to geting itslef into trouble as a marketing ploy... thats where the line crosses...
i have a frined with a rescue female dog who when younger was a bait dog. when he got her she was full of holes...
now she has a perminent hole in both ears that are about evenly lined up and occasionally for fun he will put jewelry in, and snap a few shots...
the difference here being hes having fun with his pet, its not dangerous or painfull in any way and the jewelry is removed after the photosession...
by removing it afterwards no risk of it getting caught and.or torn and so i have no real issue with it...
this woman was doing it to make a quick buck and that annoys me more than anything!