Cosmetic docking of dogs' tails gets chop

[Guest guest]

Bout flippin time too...................trouble is , it will probably still happen anyway, sigh...............I liked the quote that - Docking “probably can hurt” but usually did not? wha nonsense, why not chop one of their appendages off and see if they like it! DOCKING dogs’ tails for cosmetic reasons was banned last night by MPs. But the practice will still be allowed for working dogs after the Commons rejected a complete ban by a narrow margin. The move means that 80 per cent of tail-docking will become

illegal and within a couple of years dogs with shortened tails will be banned from shows. Dogs used by the police, rescue services, the Armed Forces and for pest control, as well as shooting, will escape the ban. Caroline Kisko, secretary of the Kennel Club, said that she was relieved that MPs had allowed an exemption for working dogs but dismayed that no docked dogs would be able to appear at Crufts. She added: “Working dogs will still be protected from tail damage. But we are very disappointed they have gone for a ban on showing docked dogs which means that all the working gun-dogs that currently show at Crufts will no longer be allowed. “Dogs that have been legally docked in their country of origin, for example the United States, will no longer be able to be shown at Crufts.” It meant that the Australian shepherd that has just won best-in-show at Crufts, the world’s biggest dog show, would be banned in future. It is an American dog. About 78,000

puppies have their tails docked or removed in Britain each year. Supporters of the practice say that it necessary for certain breeds to protect from tail damage or for hygiene reasons. Critics say that it is cruel and unnecessary. MPs rejected a total ban on tail docking during the final stages of the Animal Welfare Bill by 278 to 267, a margin of just 11 votes, after agreeing to end the practice for all but working dogs by 476 to 63, a majority of 413. The Government was in favour of retaining the status quo: that docking could continue if it was carried out by a vet. But ministers agreed to put the three options — a ban with exemption for working dogs, an outright ban or the status quo — before MPs on a free vote to let them settle the issue. Ben Bradshaw, the junior Environment Minister, said that he favoured a ban with an exemption for working dogs after representations from the police that 20 dogs had to have their tails docked in the past two years

after sustaining injuries during security operations. Bill Wiggin, the Conservative spokesman, said that he did not favour any ban. Docking “probably can hurt” but usually did not; it should be up to the vet to decide. He added: “I think that this is something that people who own dogs have to deal with themselves. I don’t like bans, I don’t think there is a need to ban.” The exemption would burden vets with paperwork and would increase bureaucracy. Page 1 || Page 2 Peter H

 

 

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