RCVS COUNCIL CALLS FOR BAN ON NON-THERAPEUTIC TAIL-DOCKING IN DOGS............
Click here to read the full Press Statement.


www.bsava.com
" The BSAVA Council is of the opinion that the docking of puppies' tails is an unnecessary mutilation and urges the RCVS to promote legislation leading to the outlawing of the procedure, unless the tail has previously been injured and the injury cannot be managed by any other means."

www.bva.co.uk
"Good-luck with your initiative, which has our full support.  The BVA has long been opposed to this mutilation, that over 90% of veterinary surgeons find abhorrent.  We will continue to campaign vigorously to ensure that non-therapeutic docking, both cosmetic and prophylactic, is completely banned."

BVA Animal Welfare Foundation
Click the link below to view a copy of the latest BVA AWF publicity material regarding tail docking
http://www.bva-awf.org.uk/resources/posters

Sophie Adamantos BVSc CertVA DipACVECC MRCVS

Jamie Adams BVSc MRCVS
Royal Veterinary College, London

Diane D. Addie PhD, BVMS, MRCVS.
"Dear Vets Against Docking, What a fabulous idea your website is. Please add my name. When I was in practice I'd be called upon to cut off, without an anaesthetic, puppy tails that were as big as my finger . This is a barbaric practice which should have been banned years ago. Gandhi said " I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man." What could be more helpless than a two day old puppy? Thank you again!"

Miss Ruth Addinell BVSc MRCVS

Gordon Aitken BVM&S,CertVR,MRCVS

Ross M Allan BVMS MRCVS

Jenny Allen MA VetMB MRCVS

Kirsten Allen BSc, BA, VetMB MRCVS

Kerry Allison BVetMed MRCVS, Shropshire

Richard Allport BVetMed, VetMFHom, MRCVS
The Natural Medicine Centre
www.naturalmedicinecentre.net   info@naturalmedicinecentre.net
"I'd like my full support for the anti docking campaign to be put on record."
Read more...

Stuart Altoft BVetMed, MRCVS

Katherine Alvis BVetMed MRCVS

Ian Anderson BVM&S MRCVS

Davina Anderson
MA VetMB PhD SAS(Soft Tissue) DipECVS MRCVS

Dr T.J. Anderson, BVM&S, MVM, PhD, MRCVS, DSAO, DipECVN, ILTM,
Head of the Division of Companion Animal Sciences,Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Neurology, University of Glasgow Veterinary School.

Geoff Appleton, BVMS, MRCVS. Kirkliston, West Lothian.

Elizabeth Arnold (ne Mitchell) MA, Vet MB (2000)
"I am currently practicing in South Australia where tail docking for non therapeutic reasons is already banned."

Yorram Ariel  BVSc MRCVS

Catharina Arthurs BSc, DVM, MRCVS

Gareth Arthurs MA, VetMB, CertVR, CertSAS, MRCVS

Stephen Arundell BVSc MRCVS

Penny Ash B.Vet.Med, MRCVS
"Please add me to your list of vets strongly opposed to tail docking. After
many frustrating years let us hope that this campaign is successful."

Richard Aspinall BVSc CVR MRCVS
Vicky Aspinall BVSc MRCVS
"We are a busy 5 man small animal practice. We still see a lot of puppies for 1st vax that have been docked by the breeders with no veterinary input. This whole practice needs to be banned and the hypocrisy of prophylactic amputation to prevent future damage laid to rest. We amputate the occasional tail because of trauma and it is often breeds that have never been docked (ie labradors and greyhounds)!"

Eleanor Atkinson BVSc MRCVS Bristol 1999

Louise Atkinson, BVSc , Tawe Vets, Swansea.

Martin Atkinson BVSc MRCVS
St Martins Veterinary Clinic, West Drayton, Middx
"I wish to make my support known for the RSPCA's policy on enforcement of a total ban of the docking of dog's tails for non-therapeutic purposes."
Read more...

Chris Aylott BVMS MRCVS

Louise Ayre BVSc BSc MRCVS, Chief Veterinary Surgeon, Blue Cross Animal Hospital, Grimsby

Aiz Baig, BVSc, MRCVS

Sarah Batchelor BVSc MRCVS
Fern Grove Surgery, University of Liverpool.

Nick Bacon MA VetMB CertVR CertSAS DipECVS MRCVS

Heather Bacon Bsc BVSc MRCVS Burnham house Veterinary surgery,Dover.
"Please add my name to the petition against the docking of dogs tails."

Kate Baensch BVSc

Paula Bailey BSc BVSc MRCVS

K.M.Barcham BVSc MRCVS Somerset

Grahame D. Baker.
"Please record my objection. Tail docking is banned as a barbaric practice here in Australia. I consider it mutilation for fashions sake & have refused to do it or entertain clients who request it for 35 years. I practice to help patients to the best of my ability, not deform them."

Simon J Baker MA VetMB PhD MRCVS
House and Jackson Veterinary Surgeons, Essex.

Caroline R Baker MA VetMB PhD MRCVS
Good Companions Vet Clinic, Herts.

Juliette Bancroft BVSc MRCVS

Randolph Baral BVSc MACVSc
VIN Feline Medicine Consultant (www.vin.com)
Paddington Cat Hospital

Andy Barcis BSc BVSc MRCVS
Spinney Lodge Veterinary Hospital

Emi Barker, BSc BVSc MRCVS
Zetland Veterinary Hospital, Bristol.

Pippa Barker B.V.Sc. MRCVS

John Barker, B.Vet.Med., M.R.C.V.S., Falmouth.
"Please include me on your list of veterinary surgeons against docking.
It is ridiculous that this matter was not resolved years ago"

Kirsty Barker BVMS

Chris Barker BVSc

Joanne Barnbrook BVM&S MRCVS

Alison Barrett BAppSc, BVSc (Hons) MRCVS

Pedro Martín Bartolomé DVM MRCVS

Daniel J. Batchelor BVSc CertSAM MRCVS
Hill's Resident in Small Animal Medicine
University of Liverpool
Small Animal Hospital

Ian Battersby BVSc DSAM DipECVIM-CA MRCVS

Roderick Beardshall MA VetMB MRCVS
"It seems crazy that we are still needing to justify seeking a ban on the utterly pointless mutilation of puppies. I honestly believe it is no more than a misguided and unfortunately entrenched fashion. I have seen no evidence in 17 years in practice to support the assertion that it is a useful preventive procedure. I believe that it causes a lot of harm by removing one of a dog's main means of expressing itself. This contributes to inter dog conflict and misunderstanding which is potentially life threatening in many cases as euthanasia as a result of serious behavioural problems is still far too common. I would like you to quote these views where appropriate if possible. Good luck."

Alison Beck BVSc(Hons) CertSAS DipECVS MRCVS
Royal Veterinary College

Yasemin Beckram BVSc MRCVS
Moorcroft Veterinary Surgery, Weymouth, Dorset.

Professor Peter G C Bedford. BVetMed,PhD,FRCVS,DVOphthal,DipECVO,ILTM.
Emeritus Professor of Veterinary Ophthalmology
Royal Veterinary College,London University.

Zoe Belshaw MA Vet MB MRCVS.

Mark.R.Bennett BVSc MRCVS (Liverpool 1966) Dorset.
"Please add my name to your list of veterinary surgeons against docking. I am now retired from a partnership in the Lynwood Veterinary Group but am working on and off as a locum in several practices in the area, all of whom do not practise docking."

Hazel Bentall, BVSc, MRCVS St Albans
"It's long overdue to ban non-therapeutic docking of dogs' tails."

R. Timothy Bentley BVSc MRCVS

Chris Berry BVSc MRCVS

Sorcha Berry MVB MRCVS

Mike Bevan BVSc MRCVS and Mandy Mayo BVSc MRCVS
"We would like to be added to the list. Our practice, Dimples Lane Veterinary Surgery, and our Branch, Dimples Vets at Caton Road will not carry out non theraputic docking."

Sarah Bignell BVetMed, MRCVS

JAnders Blaabjerg, MRCVS

Dr Laura Blackwood, BVMS PhD MVM Cert VR Dip ECVIM-CA (Onc) MRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Oncology, European Specialist in Small Animal Oncology

orunn Blackmore B Vet Med MRCVS
Christopher Alan Blackmore B Vet Med MRCVS

Stephen Blakeway BA VetMB MSc MRCVS East Lothian

Hannah Bould B.V.M.S., M.R.C.V.S.
Friarswood Veterinary Centre, Newcastle under Lyme, Staffs.
"There is absolutely no logical need to mutilateby docking tails, it is just human cruelty and ignorance".

Jon Bowen BVetMed MRCVS East Sussex

John Bower BVSc MRCVS
Trustee - British Veterinary Association Animal Welfare Foundation Plymouth
"None of our twelve vets in our practice have docked any puppies tails for over 12 years now as we firmly believe it is unnecessary and cruel.  The tails are there for a purpose - communication and balance specifically - and rather than people having the choice to amputate them, the dogs should have the choice to keep them!

Nick Bell MA VetMB MRCVS
Research associate (University of Bristol), practitioner (Dorset/Hampshire) & Trustee of Worldwide Veterinary Services

The following vets at Bellevue Veterinary Group, Banff. oppose the non theraputic docking of dogs tails :-
Gordon Maclean BVMS MRCVS
Christine Hendry BVMS MRCVS
Lesley Henderson BVMS MRCVS

Graham Bilbrough
Senior Anaesthetist
The Queen's Veterinary School Hospital
University of Cambridge

Leonard Black PhD, DVSc, FRCVS
"I am strongly averse to tail docking for non-therapeutic purposes in dogs.
I mentioned this in a paper published in 1967*, which won the William Hunting Medal as the best Vet. Rec. article of the year."
*The use of tail vertebrae in the treatment of non-union fracture in the dog (1967) Vet. Rec. 80, 198-199.

Jorunn Blackmore B Vet Med MRCVS

Christopher Alan Blackmore B Vet Med MRCVS

Bernard de Bleser DVM(Hons), DTVM, DipAgrDev, DipStat, MRCVS.
Royal Veterinary College

Eilis Boland MRCVS

Helen Bond, BVM&S, MRCVS

Nathaniel Bond, BVM&S,MRCVS.
"Docking caused unnecessary suffering, which is cruelty."

Steve Bonthorne BVSc, MRCVS
Hampden Veterinary Hospital, Aylesbury

Giovanni Borla VO - DARD
"In my opinion docking of dogs tails not only causes unnecessary
suffering to defenceless pups but also, for the rest of its life, the
dog is at a disadvantage without a tail as its tail is used for
communication and balance. Therefore I really would like to have the ban of docking of dogs tails included in the new welfare bill."

Mark Bowen BVetMed CertVA CertEM(IntMed) MRCVS, Hertfordshire

Rachel Bowen BVetMed (Hons) MRCVS, Hertfordshire

Caroline Bower BVM&S MRCVS. The Veterinary Hospital Group, Plymouth.

Rachel Bowron BVSc MRCVS

Susan Boyd BVSc CertSAM MACVSc DACVP MRCVS
Clinical pathologist, Axiom Veterinary Laboratories Ltd, Newton Abbot, Devon

Tim Bradbury BVM&S CertVC MRCVS

Nigel Bradfield BVSc MRCVS
Alphapet Veterinary Centre, Maidstone, Kent.

Katriona Bradley BVMS, MRCVS.
"I am strongly against the non therapeutic docking of dog's tails. I practise in Hong Kong where it is still commonly done - and often compare it to the binding of girls feet in China 100 years ago, also a cruel and unnecessary social procedure."

Michael Bradley BVMS MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Hong Kong)

Edward Branson BSc MSc BVet Med MRCVS

Jonathan Bray MVSc CertSAS MACVSc MRCVS DECVS
RCVS and European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery

Michael W N Bready MVB MRCVS

Alex Briault M.Sc., B.V.Sc., M.R.C.V.S.
"Having qualified from Liverpool University in 1987 it is sickening that 18 years later EVERY DAY I am at work people bring in pups which have been docked and almost WITHOUT EXCEPTION they tell me they would have preferred a dog with a tail, but the breeder did not offer them the choice. Well done and good luck."

Vicky Bridges, BVSc MRCVS
Patchway Veterinary Clinic, Bristol.

Jackie Bale BVSc MRCVS
"I have never docked a puppie's tail and never will, but I am frustrated that 99% of puppies of traditionally docked breeds that appear in our surgery are still docked."

Ashley Bramich MA, VetMB, MRCVS
Stamford, Lincolnshire.

Lisa Brewster BSc BVSc MRCVS

Steve Bright BVMS CertSAS MRCVS
Resident in Small Animal Surgery
Small Animal Hospital
University of Liverpool

Fraser Broadfoot BVetMed GPCert(SAP) MRCVS

(Dr) Harriet W Brooks, BVetMed, PhD, MRCVS
Pathologist, Royal Veterinary College.
" I should like to register my strong opposition to non-therapeutic docking of dog's tails. I admit to having carried out docking, reluctantly, as a young graduate in practice. This was done under pressure from...." Read More

Andrea Brodie. Vet Surg Han, MRCVS, Cert ECFVG AVMA

Cate Brothwell BVSc MRCVS

P.R. Brown B.Vet.Med. M.R.C.V.S.

Andrew J Brown MA VetMB MRCVS
Matthew Ryan University of Pennsylvania

Dr Clare Bryant BSc, BVetMed, PhD, MRCVS, Dip ECVPT
Senior Lecturer in Clinical Pharmacology,
Centre for Veterinary Science,
Department of Veterinary Medicine,
University of Cambridge

Suzanne Buckley MVB MRCVS,
Ty Croes Heol Y Mynydd Southerndown Vale of Glamorgan

Simon Burgess BVetMed MRCVS
"A great idea, an effective ban is long overdue."

Rory Burke BVetMed CertSAS MRCVS

Jacqueline Burt BVSc MRCVS, Blue Cross Animal Hospital, Hammersmith

Andy Cage BVM&S MRCVS

Elizabeth Cameron BVM&S MSc MRCVS

Mrs Alex Campbell (nee Prime). BSc BVSc MRCVS.
Bridgewater Court Veterinary Clinic, Manchester.
"I have never docked and never will. My Hungarian Vizsla has a fantastic full length tail, so i definitely practice what i preach. I just hope the RCVS will find its teeth and root out those of the profession who continue to perform this barbaric act."

Emma Campbell BVM&S, MRCVS

Jeremy Campbell BVSc MRCVS

Bruce D. Campbell BVM&S MRCVS

Anna H Carey BVSc MRCVS

Mark Carpenter BVetMed (1978), VetMFHom, MRCVS.

Harry Carslake MA Vet MB MRCVS
Massey University, New Zealand

Sherry Carlisle BVM&S MRCVS

Iain C. Carpenter M.A.,Vet.M.B., M.R.C.V.S.
"As the proud owner of an undocked Welsh Springer I would like to add my name to your list of supporters."

S E Cheetham M.A. Vet.M.B.,M.R.C.V.S.
Chief Veterinary Officer RSPCA. Horsham W Sussex

Sarah Clancy. I graduated as a vet in June in Dublin and am against tail docking

Carole J Clarke MRCVS
Mill House Veterinary Surgery and Hospital, King's Lynn.
"We also have 8 Veterinary Nurses at the hospital who support the banning of docking."

David D Clarke MRCVS
Mill House Veterinary Surgery and Hospital, King's Lynn.

Jayne Clark BSc (Hons) BVSC MRCVS

Naomi Cambridge BVSc BSc MRCVS
Intern in Small Animal Studies
University of Liverpool

Margaret J Cameron BVSc MRCVS CertVetAc.

Paloma Diaz Carretero MRCVS

Susan Carter BVSc.,MRCVS

Lisette Cartier van Dissel, DVM, MRCVS, Nottingham.

Rachel Cavanagh MRCVS Lancashire

Peter Chapman BVetMed DECVIM-CA MRCVS
Lecturer in Internal Medicine
School of Veterinary Medicine
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia
USA
"I am currently working in a country where, in addition to tail- docking, many veterinarians routinely perform barbaric mutilations such as de-clawing and ear-cropping. The acceptance of these procedures disappoints me and I am delighted to see so many UK veterinarians are taking a more principled stance. I would like to add my unreserved support to this campaign."

David Cassells BVSC MRCVS

Tim Chapman MA VetMB MRCVS

Janet Chapman BVSc MRCVS
" I am against docking of puppies tails for cosmetic reasons.
The procedure is barbaric and painful. It should have been banned long ago.
Please add my name to your campaign."

David B Church
Professor of Small Animal Studies
Head, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
The Royal Veterinary College

Stephen Clancy MVB MRCVS
Moorland Veterinary Centre, Leek. Staffs.
Please add me to your register and congratulations on the result in the Commons on Tuesday!

Dr Sandy Clark, BVMS, PhD, MRCVS, CertSHP
Centre Manager, Disease Surveillance Unit, SAC Veterinary Services
Janetstown, Thurso, Caithness.
"I have never seen in 35 years of veterinary life the logic in
removing a perfectly healthy part of certain breeds of dogs. The
practice should be destined to history similarly to docking horses."

Ben Clarke BSc (Hons) BVSc MRCVS

Michael John Clarkson PhD, BSc, DVSc, DSHP, MRCVS
I would like to support your campaign for a ban on non-therapeutic docking of dogs' tails. I was on the Royal College Council and a member of the BVA Ethics Committee and always supported the numerous attempts to ban this practice.

Victoria Clayton BVetMed MRCVS

Helen Clyne, B.V.Sc [Hons], MACVS - Melbourne, Australia
"Please add me to you list of vets who support the banning of tail docking of dogs. It is unbelievable that this cruel, barbaric and inhumane practice still continues in the 21st century. If it had never been done before and someone tried to introduce it an animal ethics committee would laugh it out of the room in under 2 seconds. The overwheliming majority of the public support the banning of this ridiculous practice so it is only a matter of time before it becomes illegal in the UK as it already is in so many other countries. I just hope that when this happens it also becomes illegal to sell a puppy with a docked tail as this will add further support to wiping out the practice forever."

Jane Coatesworth M.A., Vet. M.B., Cert.V.D., M.R.C.V.S

Gail Cochrane BVMS MRCVS a 1988 Glasgow Graduate.
"I'm lucky to say that I have never had to perform a 'docking' procedure on any pups and will never do so. Please add my name to the 'Vets against Docking' list."

Claire Cole BA (final year vet student)

Sarah Colegrave MRCVS
Mill House Veterinary Surgery and Hospital, King's Lynn.

Erica Coleman, BVM&S, MRCVS
Forest Veterinary Surgery, Nottingham
Secretary, East Midlands Veterinary Association

Ros Coles, Coles & Coles Veterinary Surgery, M.R.C.V.S., BVSci
Hay-on-Wye.

Victoria Coit, BVMS
Small Animal Veterinary Surgeon, Glasgow

Tom Coleman
Final year cambridge vet student

Joanna Constable.
"I am a final year veterinary student at Cambridge University, and I am in support of banning all non-therapuetic tail docking of dogs - it's a real shame that a docked dog won Crufts this year!"

George .M. Cooper BVetMed MRCVS.
"I have steadfastly refused to dock the tails of any puppies for the last 28 years, and am impressed that, at last (and probably a little astounded too) the BVA has taken an active initiative to co-ordinate some action. Let this just be the start of proactive, assertive leadership, with no fear of been seen and being counted on behalf of the membership. Well done."

Andrew Cooke. 5th year Student at Glasgow.

Michelle Cook BSc(Hons) DVM MRCVS
"It's the 21st Century where unnecessary mutilation should not occur."

Dr Sandra A. Corr, BVMS, CertSAS, DipECVS, PhD, MRCVS
European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery
Lecturer in Small Animal Surgery (Orthopaedics)
Royal Veterinary College.
"I am happy to support the case for a ban against non-therapeutic docking of dog's tails."

Emma Cosens BVSc MRCVS, Byron Vet Clinic, Nottingham.Susie Coughlan BVSc PhD MRCVS
Managing Director, CPD Solutions, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire.

Margaret Costello MVB DVR DipECVDI MRCVS

Gwen Covey-Crump BVetMed CertVA MRCVS

Adam J Coulson BVMS CertVR MRCVS
The Veterinary Hospital Group, Plymouth
"I haven't docked a puppy's tail for many years and see no need so to do.
Breeders say that they cannot sell puppies with tails but most of my
clients would rather have puppies with tails, but can't find them. It's time to change.

Penelope Courtney BVSc MRCVS

Mr G A Cowap BVSc MRCVS
Oxford

Hilary Cowley BVSc MRCVS, Medivet Richmond
"Docking ia an innapropriate and unecessary mutilation."

Rachel Cox MA Vet MB MRCVS.

Julian Cox BVetMed.,MRCVS

Victoria Craighead BVMS MRCVS

Sheila Cranna BVMS, MRCVS
"Please add my name to your list of Vets against tail docking.There is no defence for Veterinary Surgeons who painfully mutilate animals for non-therapeutic reasons. I'm disgusted that there are Vets who still condone and participate in this shameful cruelty."

Melanie Craven BVetMed DSAM MRCVS

Tim Crawshaw BVetMed MRCVS

Sarah Cripps
BVetMed MRCVS
I support a total ban on non therapeutic tail docking

Penny Croson BVet Med MRCVS

David Crosse, BVSc (liverpool), MRCVS

Charles Cullen BVetMed MRCVS

Kate Cullen BVMS MRCVS

Meg Curnick BVSc MRCVS

Return to the top of the page