I thought docking dogs tails in the uk was banned?

Question

Looking at the Leeds show results all the dogs concerned were docked?

Answer 1

As from 6th April,2007
See
http://www.cdb.org/awa/index.htm

Answer 2

Laws do not change a person's belief and nor do they necessarily change the breed standard. If the standard says docked and it is not, said dog will not be picked.

I personally don't believe it is the business of government to decide the issue but if enough pressure was put on the breed clubs and more veterinarians were ethical and would refuse to do a mutilation surgery (although most breeders attach a rubber band to the pups tail and it "falls off") then the standards would be changed so that out-dated, useless, and detrimental practices such as this would be history.

As for the Leeds example, if enough people complained to the stations AND their sponsors, shows such as this might not be covered. That might very well force a change in breed standards.

Kevin: you're repeating the standard propaganda but it is not true. I've been around hunting Beagles most of my life and we trained them from puppyhood to head into the thickets (thorns, brambles, etc) and while there is often some bleeding, I have never seen it in the tail. Likewise, herding dog owners say the tail can get stepped on - give me a break! I still believe, however, that the decision should be up to the owner - not legislated. I don't like to see nonsense, though, so I try to educate in cases like this.

Answer 3

It is, only a few sporting breeds are exempt.

However - any dog that had been docked prior to April 6th (I believe that's the correct date) this year CAN STILL BE SHOWN. Or you'd have alot of good lineage being banned from competition because of moronic bleeding hearts, who've never seen a tail docking nor realize it's painless when done at 3 days old as nerves in the tail are non-existent.

As to the communication to remark - I am one of the horrible owners of tail docked Boxers and enablers of tail docking. I've never seen them have trouble communicating with each other or other dogs. It's called they compensate for it. Just like a deaf or mute human would.

Jane D - many breeders and vets do use the method of cutting the tail. It's more certain and less hassle for the pup than banding the tails.

Answer 4

It has been illegal to dock tails for several years but there were ways of getting around the docking ban.

Certain working dogs allegedly have their tails docked in order to avoid injuring themselves so if you had, say a Cocker Spaniel, you could have its tail docked by a vet as long as you said it had been bred for working.

However even Rottweilers, Old English Sheepdogs, Dobermans, Boxers etc. have continued to be docked even though there was no particular risk of them injuring their tails.

The UK Kennel Club sat on the fence about tail-docking for years and allowed docked breeds to be shown. The law has now been tightened up and, hopefully, pups born after the new legislation which has just been brought in will not be shown if they have docked tails unless they belong to certain exempt breeds and it can be proved that they are working dogs.

Answer 5

DOCKING OF TAILS IS BANNED. DOGS BUT AFTER THE BAN OFFICIALLY CAME INTO FORCE WHICH HAVE ILLEGALLY HAD THERE TAILS DOCKED WILL BE BANNED FROM ENTERING DOG SHOWS I.E CRUFTS.BUT ONES BORN BEFORE THE BAN CAME INTO FORCE CAN STILL BE SHOWN!! HOPE THIS HELPS.VETS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO DOCK TAILS UNLESS IT IS PROVEN THAT THE DOG NEEDS ITS TAIL REMOVED FOR MEDICAL REASONS OR THAT THE DOG IS A WORKING DOG AND THEREFORE THE TAIL MAY INHIBIT THE DOGS PERFORMANCE IN ITS WORK.

Answer 6

This undertaking brings up various ethical subject concerns. i'm so happy pointless tail docking is now banned here. it relatively is extremely incorrect for a canines to have its tail docked purely with the aid of fact the owner likes the way it looks - I recommend get authentic, you stupid human beings! What income does it have on the canines? None by any potential, till they seem to be a working canines. purely working canines with sturdy reason, or canines with deformed tails/tail injuries are in a position to have their tails docked. And confident, maximum persons human beings veterinary experts are against it. Come united against animal cruelty!

Answer 7

I have just read the following on DEFRA's website, in answer to your question it is illegal now for anyone to dock a dogs tail unless, a/ it's a working dog, Spaniel etc. or b/ it is for medical reasons. Dogs docked before the ban can still be shown.

6 Docking of dogs’ tails
(1) A person commits an offence if—
(a) he removes the whole or any part of a dog’s tail, otherwise than for the
purpose of its medical treatment;
(b) he causes the whole or any part of a dog’s tail to be removed by another
person, otherwise than for the purpose of its medical treatment.
(2) A person commits an offence if—
(a) he is responsible for a dog,
(b) another person removes the whole or any part of the dog’s tail,
otherwise than for the purpose of its medical treatment, and
(c) he permitted that to happen or failed to take such steps (whether by
way of supervising the other person or otherwise) as were reasonable
in all the circumstances to prevent that happening.

Answer 8

Docking tails is now illegal. but the ban only recently came in, so all puppies born before the ban can still be docked. Plus the fact the dogs may not have been docked in England.

Answer 9

Its banned for a breeder to do it but not a vet. I have 3 dogs all of them are from a docked breed. the problem is that your local vet will usually say no as he/she doesn't want to be seen to dock. The Council for docked breeds have their own vets who will do it.

Answer 10

"Looking at the Leeds show results all the dogs concerned were docked?"

Really? Dog show judges are people too and whether or not a dog wins depends on what the judge likes to see. Confirmation standards not withstanding.

Of course none of this does anything to heighten my already low opinion of dog shows and kennel club "standards" but I guess thats just personal opinion.

If mother nature made dogs with tails...well of course its best that they keep them.

Thanks for noticing that.

Answer 11

only dogs born after April 6th cannot be shown if docked.

it is not cruel or barbaric if done before 3-5 days when the puppies will not feel it at all.

many people think that they just chop their tails off, which isnt true. there are 2 ways:

1. a rubber band is placed around the tail and it naturally dies and drops off, or,
2. (this relates to older puppies/dogs) they are sedated and the tail surgically removed.