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

Mr Malcolm Gale, BVSc, MRCVS (retired)
"Please add my name to the list of veterinary surgeons against docking - I am now retired but am appalled that the law has failed to stop this mutilation."

Luke Gamble BVSc MRCVS,
Director of Pilgrims Veterinary Practice and Chief Executive
Worldwide Veterinary Service www.WVS.org.uk

Ms Reyes García-Nuño, BVM&S, GPCert(FelP), MRCVS

Sarah George BVSc MRCVS

Alex German BVSc(Hons) PhD CertSAM DipECVIM-CA MRCVS
Senior Lecturer in Small Animal Medicine
University of Liverpool.

Allison German BVSc MSc PhD MRCVS
Divs Medical Microbiology & Neurological Sciences
University of Liverpool

Helen Gething BVetMed, MRCVS

Chris Gibbs MA, VetMB, MRCVS

Maria Goddard BVSc MRCVS

Sarah Gordon BVMS MRCVS

Debbie Gow 4th year vet student Edinburgh

Ian M Gill BVM&S CertSHP MRCVS

David Godfrey B.Vet.Med. CertSAD. CertSAM. DipABVP. MRCVS

Rosie Godfrey BVetMed MRCVS

Steven Oliver Goldie BVSc, MRCVS
Dorette Goldie BVSc, MRCVS
" Please add our names to the list of veterinarians against unnecessary mutilation of dogs."

Claire Goodear BVetMed MRCVS

Steven Goodear BVSc MRCVS

Jess Gower MA VetMB Cert SAS MRCVS, Head Veterinary Surgeon, Blue Cross Animal Hospital, Victoria

Paul Grant MVB, MRCVS.
"Qualified in 1987 and been in Kent, more or less, ever since.Surely inflicting pain is the opposite to being a vet! All my clients seem to agree."

Carol Gray (BVMS 1982)
Lecturer in Veterinary Communication Skills
University of Liverpool

Richard Green BVSc MRCVS, Chief Veterinary Surgeon, Blue Cross Animal
Hospital, Hammersmith

George R. Grieve BVM&S MRCVS RDVC 1992
Senior Veterinary Surgeon, Edinburgh PDSA Pet Aid Hospital.
"I have never seen a tail injury in a working dog in fourteen years of small animal practice. We must work together and canvass the Kennel Club to stop this barbaric practice.When will we see a traditionally docked dog, winning Crufts with a tail?"

Richard Grubb MRCVS

Andrea Grochowski, vet -med , Germany

Rebecca East MA VetMB MRCVS

Jane Eastwood MA VetMB DVR DSAM MRCVS
RCVS Specialist in Small Animal Medicine
Lecturer in Small Animal Medicine
Royal Veterinary College
‘Every day, Maddie our English Springer Spaniel is trying to educate the public about what a proper tail should look like ie it should be long and it should wag constantly!’

Jonathan Elliott MA VetMB PhD MRCVS Dip ECVPT
Royal Veterinary College, London.

Clive M. Elwood MA VetMB MSc PhD CertSAC MRCVS DipACVIM DipECVIM RCVS and European Specialist in Small Animal Medicine

Sinead Ennis MVB, MRCVS (Charlton, South East London)

Audrey Fearn BVMS MRCVS Edinburgh

Helen Errington BVMS MRCVS VLA Penrith

Isabel Evans BVMS MRCVS

Sian Evans BVM&S, MRCVS Wales

Helen Fines BVSc MRCVS
Veterinary Officer Bristol RSPCA

Nicola Finn BVSc MRCVS

Jayne Fisher, BVM&S, MRCVS

Tom Forsyth BVSc MRCVS

Mrs E.Wanda Foulkes MA, VETMB, MRCVS
"Please include my name on the list of vets that support a total ban on tail docking. I firmly believe that dog's need their tails for communication and do not need persistent neuritis caused by tail docking."

Ed Friend BVetMed CertSAS DECVS MRCVS
European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery

Helen Fryer, BVSc, Cert VD, MRCVS

Kate Funnell BVSc MRCVS. Surrey.

Isuru Gajanayake BVSc CertSAM MRCVS.
Royal Veterinary College.

Catharine Gale, MAVetMB MRCVS, Wood Vet Group, Gloucester.

Barbara Gallagher MVB MRCVS.
general practitioner from Spinney Lodge in Northampton

Shevaun Gallwey, MVB (1994) MRCVS
"I strongly support your argument that animals should not be mutilated for non-therapeutic reasons. The only exception I understand that may be necessary is in those animals who wag their tails and may damage them as a result, such as indoor Great Danes or police-working spaniels (those that check under chairs in conference rooms, for example). I would like to see a ban on breeding of animals for aesthetics contrary to their physical health, many examples of which are obvious to us all."

Cordelia Gamble MA (Hons) VetMB MRCVS

Peter Gard, BVetMed, MRCVS
"Please include me on the list as opposed to the unnecessary amputation of tails."

Claire Gardner BVSc. MRCVS Bilton Veterinary Centre
"As an owner of an undocked tail, wagging Jack Russell I am horrified that
people still consider it acceptable to remove tails for untherapeutic
reasons."

Andrew Gardiner BVM&S CertSAS MSc MRCVS Edinburgh
"I am against removing the healthy tails from a great many puppies in order to prevent perfectly treatable ...."
Read more...

Inge Geens MRCVS Cert SAD

Rosemary Gibson B.Vet Med BSc (Hons) MRCVS
"I am a veterinary surgeon working in the government sector in Northern Ireland in the Department of Agriculture, Dundonald House, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast. I am strongly opposed to tail docking for non-therapeutic reasons. Dog breeders and owners need to admit that this is a cruel and totally unnecessary practice that is fuelled totally by commercial greed and ridiculous vanity (the "breed standard"). And they call themselves dog-lovers?"

Alistair Gibson MVB MRCVS
Kells, Co. Antrim.

Hilary Glasgow BVMS MRCVS
"Would like to join petition to ban tail docking...unnecessary cruel for fashion in my opinion"

Judith Glushanok BVSc MRCVS. Bristol

Philip Goddard BVetMed, MBA, MRCVS

Reg Godwin BVSc MRCVS

Robert Goggs BVSc MRCVS
Senior Clinical Training Scholar in Emergency and Critical Care
Royal Veterinary College

Mark Goodfellow MA VetMB CertVR CertSAM MRCVS

Helen Pollok Good BVM&S MRCVS

Mark M Goodman BVM&S MRCVS.

Bob Gore , BVSC MRCVS.

C N Gorman, BVSc, MRCVS. Newbury, Berkshire.

Sara Gould BVetMed DSAM MRCVS
RCVS Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Medicine

Caroline Goulton BVetMed MRCVS
I would like to add my support to the petition for a total ban on docking of dog's tails except for therapeutic reasons. I feel very strongly about the ban and have never docked a tail unnecessarily, my practice does not condone docking of puppies and we have lost clients over the issue. Thank you.

Adam Gow B.V.M & S. CertSAM MRCVS

Manus Graham MVB, MPhil, MRCVS.
Clinical Division, Moredun Research Institute.
" I would like to add my name to those of other vets who are calling for a total ban on the docking of pups tails. My position on the matter is based on 12 years in small-animal practice......Read more..

Emma Lauren Grant MA(cantab), VetMB, MRCVS

Dr Sue Gregory BVetMed, PhD, DVR, DSAS (soft tissue), MRCVS
RCVS Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery.
Senior Lecturer in Small Animal Surgery, RVC.
"Apart from the fact that tail docking is completely unnecessary, unless a ban is enforced we will never be able to determine its significance as a suspected factor in the aetiology of urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence."

James Grierson BVetMed CertVR CertSAS MRCVS
Lecturer in Small Animal Surgery (Temporary)
Queen Mother Hospital for Animals
Royal Veterinary College
" In order for this to work we also need the Kennel Club to take a stand and stop the showing of dogs with docked tails. Particularly at international events such as Crufts which the general public look to as the standard."

David Grant MBE   B.vet.Med. FRCVS Harmsworth Hospital Director

D.N. Griffiths BVSc MRCVS.
"Having qualified some 21 years ago I am delighted , to say the least, to be added to your signature campaign condemning the 'docking' of dogs tails. With great enthusiasm I am forwarding this to all veterinary colleagues. Thank you in anticipation of common sense prevailing."

Emma Grogono BA VetMB MRCVS
Wendy Stickells BVetMed MRCVS (also listed under 'S')
RSPCA Hospital, Putney.
"Please add us to your list of vets who support a total ban against the docking of all dogs tails, regardless of breed. Thank you for being so pro-active in organising vets into action. We are spreading the word at work to all vets and vets nurses."

Miss H C Groves-de-Milleret BVM&S MRCVS
I write to support the RSPCA in its efforts to lobby the Government to ban
tail docking of dogs for non-therapeutic reasons.
Read more...

Hanne Claudi Gundersen BVetMed MRCVS

Sondhya Gupta BA VetMB MRCVS

David Hadrill BVSc MSc MRCVS
"Since qualifying as a vet in 1980 I have consistently refused to dock puppies’ tails, which I consider to be an unnecessary mutilation."

EJ Hall, MA, VetMB, PhD, DECVIM-CA, MRCVS
Professor of Small Animal Internal Medicine
Division of Companion Animal Studies,
Dept. Clinical Veterinary Science,
University of Bristol.

GA Hall BVSc PhD FRCPath, MRCVS

DESMOND ROBERT HAMILTON BVMS MRCVS

Gawain Hammond MA VetMB MVM CertVDI DipECVDI MRCVS

Anna Hammond BVM&S Cert EM(Int Med) MRCVS
West Sussex

Philip Hanlon
Milton Keynes Vet Group

Synnøve Haagenrud BVSc MRCVS"
"Please add my name to the list of vets against docking. I now work in a country where tail docking has been banned since 1988, and...." Read more

Miss V Hall BVSc MRCVS

Dean Halligan BVSc MRCVS
Bridgefield Veterinary Surgery,Wem, Shropshire.
"Completey unnecessary, and about time something positive was done!"

Olivia Halligan BVSc MRCVS

Mr. Barri Hamid BVSc, MSc, MRCVS

Roger Hancock BA Vet MB Cert WEL MRCVS
Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA)
"I would like to register my firm opposition to the non-therapeutic docking
of puppies. I qualified..." Read more

Tom Harcourt-Brown MA VetMB MRCVS
" I would be very grateful if you would add my name to your list. I have been opposed to docking since I qualified and actively tried to bring prosecutions against the breeders doing it, and RCVS actions against the vets who will carry it out (both on their clients and, more annoyingly, on mine). My efforts have been met with indifference and frustration on the part of the bodies that are meant to help us in pursuing these cases. An organisation to oppose this practice is very welcome and essential to those in the profession who oppose this uneccessary act."

Frances Harcourt-Brown BVSc MRCVS
" I do hope now at long last that this unnecessary mutilation will be banned
permanently and that the legislation is sufficiently robust to make the ban
effective."

Ben Hardy BVM&S MBA MPhil MRCVS. University of Cambridge.

Peter Harlow
Prospect House Veterinary Clinic
Colwyn Bay

Claire Harris BVet Med MRCVS
The Elms Veterinary Surgery, OXON

Gareth Harries BVMS CertSAS MRCVS

Matthew Harris BVSc CertVDI MRCVS

Craig Harrison BVM&S, CertSAD, MRCVS.
White Cross Veterinary Centre, Guiseley,Leeds.
"Please add my name and that of my practice to the list of veterinarians opposed to tail docking. Having performed this unnecessary procedure in my early days in practice, I am only too aware of the pain, distress and suffering it causes and this mutilation has been banned in our practice for many years. The procedure is abhorrent to the vast numbers of caring Vets and Veterinary Nurses in this country and, in my opinion, the only reason it persists is the short sighted obstinacy of a very few misguided individuals, including unfortunately some veterinarians, who seem to be more committed to their involvement in breed societies or blood sports than they are to the welfare of animal’s under their care."

ROBERT HARRY BVSc MRCVS

Angela Hermon BVSc MRCVS

Mrs Emma J Harrop MA VetMB MRCVS
Adelaide Veterinary Group, Beds

Mrs Vivien Hartley Ryan. BVSc(Hons) BSc(Hons) MRCVS
"I Would like to be added to your list - something should be done about this asap!"

Claudia Hartley BVSc CertVOphthal MRCVS

Monika Hartmann, Mag.Vet.Med, MRCVS
Saffron Walden.

Pia Hayat, BVSc Hons, MRCVS

Ben Hynes MA VetMB CertVC MRCVS

Nicolette Hayward BVM&S DVR DipECVDI MRCVS
European Specialist in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging

Peter Heather, BVSc MRCVS
Fareham, Hants.

Christine Heinrich DVOphthal DipECVO MRCVS
Willows Referral Service, Solihull, West Midlands
"I firmly oppose the docking of dogs' tails and I am forever disheartened when litters of docked puppies are presented for testing under the BVA/KC/ISDS eye scheme!"

Julian Henderson MRCVS, BSc, BVM&S

Dr Anke Hendricks DrMedVet CertVD DipECVD MRCVS
Dept. Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College.

Claire Hendry BVM&S, MRCVS
"Please include my name on the list of vets against docking. It's about time some legislation was laid down about this inappropriate procedure."

Simone Herbert BVSc, MRCVS

Kate Higgins BVetMed MRCVS

Margaret Higgins, BVMS, MRCVS.

Paul Higgs
Final Year Student Cambrdidge Vet school

John M Hill MVB MRCVS
Junior Vice President SPVS
"Docking of dogs' tails should have been banned at the same time it was banned in horses in the late nineteenth century. In the twenty-first century, it is long overdue to end this barbaric mutilation."

Richard Hill man BVSc CertVA

Richard Hillam BVSc PhD CertVR MRCVS Cheltenham. "
I am strongly opposed to non-therapeutic tail docking; a mutilation performed in the name of 'breed standards'."

John F.R.Hird MA BVSc DVA DiplECVA MRCA MRCVS Former Principal, Hird & Partners, Blackwall, Halifax, West Yorks.
"Good luck, the profession vs the Kennel Club, a good contest."

Chris Hoare MRCVS.
"I wish to make my support known for the RSPCA's policy on enforcement of a total ban of the docking of dogs' tails for non-therapeutic purposes."

Will Hodge BVSc MRCVS

David Hodges MA, MBA,Vet MB, MRCVS.
Pet Doctors, Rustington, West Sussex.

Ann Holohan, MVB MRCVS

Kim Holmes BSc(Hons) BVM&S MSc MRCVS
"I work at Glassbrook Vets4Pets, Leyland, which incidently, were one of the first practices against docking, years before I graduated."

Elaine Holt, DVM, Diplomate ACVO, MRCVS Lecturer, Ophthalmology The Royal Veterinary College

Sonya Holtby BVet Med MRCVS
"Keep up the good work."

Nick Honhold BVSc MSc PhD DipECVPH MRCVS. Belfast.

Michelle Honnor BSc VetMB MRCVS

Isobel Hood, BA (final year student at Cambridge)

David W Hopper BVM&S MRCVS
"I would like to register myself as a vet in favour of a ban on all
non-therapeutic docking of tails. However if...." Read More

Karen Horne MA VetMB MRVCS
"Please add me to your list and help stop this barbaric 'fashion statement'."

Linda Horn BVMS, Dip AS (CABC),MRCVS

Eleanor Hughes BSc PhD MVB MRCVS

Alasdair Hotston Moore
MA VetMB CertSAC CertVR CertSAS MRCVS

Karen Humm MA VetMB CertVA MRCVS

James Hunt BVetMed CertVA MRCVS."
I am pleased to say I have never amputated a tail for anything other than therapeutic reasons. The sooner a clear and unambiguous ban, on this most barbarous of fashion statements is enforced, the better in my opinion."

Simon Hurst BVetMed MRCVS

Mark Hurst BVetMed Cert VR Cert SAS MRCVS

Alan Hurst BVM&S, MRCVS
Veterinary Officer, State Veterinary Service.
"I very strongly support your campaign for a complete ban on the
non-therapeutic docking of dog's tails. Twelve years in small animal
practice convinced me that this practice is unnecessary, cruel and based on
nothing more than the vanity of certain sections of the dog-owning
community."

Phil Hyde. Director of Valley Vets Ltd & Veterinary Emergency Treatment Services Ltd.
"This is long overdue. After 28 years in practice, I have yet to hear a rational argument for the docking of dogs tails. It has been done purely for the vanity of man, and is nothing to do with the welfare of animals. Well done!"

Congratulations on highlighting this issue. We'd like to add all of the vets from Ruddington & East Leake Veterinary Centres to your list, we do not perform any routine docking and actively advise clients against it when asked. We are:
Hugh McLachlan, Jenny Rees and Heather Imrie, all BVMS, MRCVS

Tim Ingham BSc(Hons) BVSc MRCVS

Babs Ingram BVetMed MRCVS

Matthew Ingram BVetMed CertSAS MRCVS

Johnny Irish MA VetMB MRCVS
Barons Court Veterinary Centre, West London

Bev Irving
Qualified London June 1990 B Vet Med MRCVS

David J Irwin MVB MRCVS

Jenny Isherwood BVetMed MRCVS

Wendy Jaques BVSc MRCVS
From Alder Veterinary Hospital in LiverpoolSian Rosser BVSc MRCVS

Dr J.A.Jagoe . MVB PhD Cert SAM, MRCVs.

Ann Louise Jagoe MVB MRCVS
"I would like to add my name to the list as I believe the procedure is cruel and completely unnecessary ,I believe an exemption for "working dogs" is a ridiculous cop out as many working dogs are GSDs and labradors but nobody is advocating docking these breeds."

.Julia James MA Vet MB MRCVS

Emma Jarratt
"I'm a 4th year veterinary student at University of Bristol, I don't know if it's appropriate that I be included on your list of vets against docking as I am not yet qualified, but I do feel very strongly on the issue so thought I would contact you anyway."

Shailen Jasani MA VetMB MRCVS (Royal Veterinary College, London).
"I would like to add my name to the list of vets against tail docking and to stress the importance of the need for a UK-wide official consensus on this issue. Furthermore, no policy is helpful unless it is enforced and I hope that some less than scrupulous breeders, along with some members of our profession, are subjected to 'docking type' penance if they flout the policy! Also, is there a similar list for vet nurses as they are often very vociferous in such matters and the more support the better?"*

*You can click here to go to the new Veterinary Nurses Against Docking page (commissioned 1.2.2006).

Melissa Jay BSc BVMS MRCVS

Deborah Jeffreys BVSc CertVR MRCVS
"I would like to register my support for the campaign to stop non-therapeutic docking in dogs. This mutilation is in my opinion totally unnecessary and cruel.

Miss Rosanne E. Jepson BVSc (Dist) MRCVS Royal Veterinary College

Mike Jessop BVetMed MRCVS. President Elect BSAVA.
"It is time to end this unnecessary mutilation."

Inge Johannson BVMS MRCVS
"My home country Norway stoped docking in 1988, the Norwegian Kennel Club did not allow showing of dogs if they had been docked after the regulations started - job done! My husband and I find it sad that our lovely Rottweiler is docked, and are looking forward to seeing all breeds wagging their undocked tails."

Alison Jones BVetMed MRCVS. Vets on the Park Cheltenham

Rhiannon Jones MA VetMB MRCVS

Bryony Jones, BVSc, MSc, MRCVS

DEWI JONES BVMS MRCVS
"Needless mutilation of dogs for aesthetic purposes, a selfish practice, needs banning."

Emma Jones MVB MRCVS

Mark Johnston BVetMed MRCVS
" There is no logic in tail docking in dogs, docking of horses tails was banned over a century ago !"

Suzanne Johnson BVSC (Syd Uni) MRCVS
Brixton, London
"It's great to see someone organising what is a vast groundswell of opposition to docking."

Thomas Johnson MA VetMB MRCVS
"Good Luck with the Campaign."

Carol Jones B.V.M.S M.R.C.V.S

Peter G.H. Jones, BVSc, MRCVS

Dennis Jones BVSc MRCVS
Byron Veterinary Clinic, Nottingham.
"After over 30 years as a vet, it would be a huge benefit to the victims of this procedure if it could finally be made illegal. Docking of horses was banned the year I was born – here’s hoping dogs join them before I retire."

Karen Jones, BVetMed, MSc MRCVS
Veterinary Director, SPANA (Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad)

Lorna Jordan-Owers BA(Hons) BVetMed MRCVS

Anna Judson BVSc MSc MRCVS
Camlas Vets, Welshpool.

Leonie Julian BSc BVSc MRCVS