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."
BVNA has joined the BVA and BSAVA in expressing its support for thecampaign against the non-therapeutic tail docking on dogs. Despite taildocking being illegal, except where performed by a Veterinary Surgeon in thebest interests of a dog, the practice still continues, and the latest AnimalWelfare Bill still leaves the issue of docking open to interpretation, andmay still be permitted by way of an exemption clause in secondarylegislation.The BSAVA has provided posters to display in your practice and a clientquestionnaire to help build data on public opinion, both available on www.bsava.com

As a profession we have been opposed to the non-therapeutic docking of dogs' tails for many years yet we still see docked animals on a regular basis. The new Animal Welfare Bill in its initial form bans all mutilations of pet animals but it is widely expected that exceptions will be placed on the docking of dogs' tails. The main reason for this is the pressure that is being brought to bear on the Government from breeders, the Council for Docked Breeds and the Kennel Club, which has recently aligned itself quite firmly with the CDB.

Vets Against Docking (VAD) has been set up to give vets a chance to publicly and individually have their say and to help make Parliament realise that there is another side to this argument. Not only is there another side but there is a voice on that side that represents the profession that Parliament should be listening to.

As a profession we have pledged to safeguard the health and well being of the animals in our care. This is not and can never be compatible with the pre-emptive amputation of a limb and an organ of communication for any reason other than therapeutic. It is the veterinary profession that best understands the psychology and physiology of our companion animals and should therefore set the standard for their care.

The BSAVA and the BVA are both completely opposed to all non-therapeutic docking of dogs' tails and it is time we all had our say.

The veterinary surgeons listed on our site all support a complete ban on all non- therapeutic docking of dogs' tails.
If you would like to be added to the list please email us at info@vetsagainstdocking.co.uk with your name, qualifications and any comments or practice details you would like us to mention.

Updated: Sunday, April 27, 2008 11:44 AM

Attention All You Veterinary Nurses
We have now established your own page.
Click the button to go straight to the Veterinary Nurses Against Docking page.