Marcus Rashford has recently stolen fans’ hearts not only with his incredible football skills but also with his lovely Can Corso dog, Saint.

The player has been sharing images of his feline companion on social media, illustrating their close bond and how the cat helps him relax after tough contests.

Rashford, who is well-known for his charity efforts outside of football, has regularly spoken about the need for self-care and mental health. His Can Corso dog, with its calm and caring demeanor, has brought him comfort and serenity. The dog provides Rashford with much-needed relaxation from the stresses of professional football.

However, the photograph has irritated animal welfare experts, and not just because of the United shirt the pup is forced to wear.

Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford shares a photo of his new puppy Saint wearing a club shirt | The Sun.

According to campaigners, the dog, a Can Corso from Russia, has clearly had its ears cut, which is illegal in the UK and Ireland.

Marcus and his dog #MarcusRashford – Soccer men, Marcus

Section 5 of the Animal Welfare Act of 2006 makes it illegal to undertake unauthorized operation on a protected animal.

However, in several countries, the treatment is still allowed, and it is not illegal to transport a dog that has been cropped or docked in another country.

A spokesman for the RSPCA said: “The RSPCA is opposed to ear cropping, a process where ears are removed or surgically altered, often for the purposes of appearance.”

Ear clipping is painful, ineffective, and illegal in England and Wales. It serves no use for the dog and may be detrimental to their health, behavior, and welfare. We do not believe that animals should be mutilated for aesthetic purposes.

‘Unfortunately, we presume that ear clipping occurs in England and Wales, despite the fact that it is prohibited under Section 5 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, and some dogs are imported from abroad with clipped ears.

Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford tweets a picture of his new puppy Saint wearing a club shirt | The Sun.

‘We would urge people not to buy a dog with cut ears since it would have had a really unpleasant procedure.

Rashford, who missed United’s 1-0 loss to Newcastle on Sunday, bought his puppy from Chaperone K9, a Leicestershire-based family business that specializes in personal and family protection dogs.

“Marcus Rashford almost hugging his dog at Christmas https://t.co/f2KqNIobsv”/X

Company director Richard Douglas admitted that his company does not crop dogs in the UK, stating, “The RSPCA should know better than anyone else that there are no companies in the UK that promote or carry out cropping or docking.”

“Marcus Rashford posing in a picturesque setting with his dog https://t.co/xr7LkCg9QH”/X

 ‘In certain countries, there is still a legal mechanism in place, and dogs can be brought from the United States, Russia, or Hungary. They are available for purchase internationally.

Saint is the newest canine to join the United family, after Atom and Humber as Alexis Sanchez relocates to Old Trafford.

 Marcus Rashford on X: “What would we do without @Mike_Phelan_1?” https://t.co/7vix0DGVcd” / X

Marcus Rashford’s performance at Cheshire has been highlighted.