Pierced Cats Sold as Gothic Kittens

A woman (dog groomer) has been brought up on charges of animal cruelty for piercing the ears, necks and tails of kittens. The necks are pierced with what is called a "submission ring." They were up for sale on a number of places, including eBay, and are being referred to as "gothic kittens."

Dogs tails are docked, which is being used by the defense attorney for this woman, along with the fact that there is no law against piercing cats.

Is this any different than docking dogs' tails? How about the livestock - tagging your livestock's ears, banding their testicles until they fall off, cutting their testicles while you hold a goat in your lap (see a picture of that here), or using a burdizzo on them? A lot of people don't use anesthesia when they do that.

How about human babies? Is it any different than piercing an infant baby's ears?

What do you think?