Meet Coco, a three-month-old pit bull from Sacramento who’s currently recovering from an at-home “ear cropping,” a practice that’s only allowed to be carried out by a licensed veterinarian. It’s often administered to pits under cruel and painful makeshift circumstances so they don’t bleed during a dogfight.

Luckily, Coco is recovering in his foster home, who reports that he’s “coming out of his shell,” and is almost ready for a forever home.

[L.A. Times]