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THE LEGISLATION AND ETHICS OF

TAIL DOCKING DOGS

PRESENTED BY SALLY SHERSON

An overview of the issue

Tail docking is already banned in 33 countries around the world, including Australia and the U.K.

It is not illegal in New Zealand

It is not endorsed under the Animal Welfare (Dogs) Code of Welfare 2010 document as best practice recommendations. This is not a legally binding document.

It is a practice that is still endorsed by the NZ Council of Docked Breeds and various other breeders & organisations

It is opposed by the NZ Veterinary Associations, various animal rights groups and other organisations calling for a ban on tail docking.

FUNCTIONS OF THE TAIL

Communication - body language to other dogs & humans

Communication – acts as a fan to spread the scent of anal gland secretions

Balance – used as a counterbalance to body movements for increased agility at speed and when jumping, balancing or climbing/descending steep hills

Anatomically –stabilizes vertebral column & supports action of extensor muscles of the back & hind quarters

Swimming – used as a rudder for agility & speed through the water

Methods of Tail Docking Snipping off with surgical scissors (typically in pups between 2 – 5

days old)

Banding – an elastic ligature is placed around the tail to constrict blood supply and the tissue dies causing the tail to eventually drop off (typically in pups between 1 – 4 days old)

Tail amputation – a surgical procedure requiring full anaesthetic

WHY ARE DOGS DOCKED??The docking of dogs tails is a practice which has been carried

out in over 50 breeds for centuries with the aim of reducing tail injuries, for hygiene reasons in some long haired breeds and to

maintain breed standards as set out by breeder associations and kennel clubs.

Gundog breeds that hunt game through dense bush can be at risk of cut or injured tails if entangled in vegetation.

Terriers that hunt underground (ie. fox control in UK) can operate more effectively without a long tail in confined spaces.

Long haired breeds, such as the Yorkshire Terrier, are often docked to lessen the problem of soiling by faeces.

The best examples of a particular breed may not carry nice tails if left undocked thereby decreasing the choices of sires & dams and potentially lessening the gene pool for that breed.

Dogs with excessive tail action can cause damage to themselves & property in the home

REASONS TO NOT DOCK Pain. Puppies docked before 4 days old may display some pain at

the time of docking which passes relatively quickly. Older pups show more signs of pain for longer. Tail amputation in adult dogs is very painful, major surgery with an extended recovery period.

The tail is one of a dog’s most important ways of communicating his emotional state and signalling intent.

The tail plays an important role in the physical movement of a dog.

There is very little evidence in NZ to suggest that there is a significant amount of tail injury occuring to non-docked breeds.

“A recent study (Diesel et al, 2010) concluded that approximately 500 dogs would need to be docked in order to prevent one tail injury” (NZVA, 2011).

There are other ways of dealing with hygiene issues ie. regular clipping and grooming.

Appearance – tails can be an attractive part of the dog and can add symmetry to a dog’s body shape.

Weighing up the Pros and Cons of Tail Docking

Pros ConsDocked Avoids future tail injuries Loses the advantages Dog and the possibility of undergoing of having a tail for the

tail amputation surgery as purposes nature an adult. To fit breed standards. intended

Undocked Has the benefit of using the Would have to undergoDog tail for communication, painful tail surgery

balance. and recovery if injured

Pros & cons for the owner:

Docked Cost of docking pup is minimal Public disapproval from Dog compared to tail amp surgery. those opposed. Harder

Less suffering then injury later. to read body language

Undocked Knowing the emotional state Cost & downtime of Dog your dog is displaying. injury to tail

Pros & cons for the dog:

NZ LEGISLATIONIn the NZ Animal Welfare Act 1999, the Code of Welfare that pertains to tail docking (section 7.11.3) states:

“Tails may be docked surgically by a veterinarian for therapeutic reasons, or by means of an elastic ligature or band that constricts blood supply in accordance with the minimum standard below.Tail docking is a painful procedure when performed on puppies older than 4 days of age. The method of removal may also influence the pain experienced.”

Minimum Standard No. 17 – Tail docking a) Tails may only be shortened or removed by using a tail band –

i) In puppies that are less than 4 days old in which the eyes have not started to open; and

ii) By a person who possesses the appropriate knowledge, training and competency necessary to do so effectively, and who is acting under a documented quality assurance scheme that assures compliance with this minimum standard; and

iii) The remaining lenth of the tail must be sufficient to avoid compromising health and welfare when the dog is mature.

b) Tails that need to be shortened or removed to manage existing injury or disease, must only be shortened or removed by a veterinarian using appropriate pain relief.

Code of Welfare (7.11.3)

Recommended Best Practice

a) Tail docking should not be performed at all unless it is required for treatment of an existing injury or disease

b) Injury of the tail can lead to serious complications and any injury to the tail, as with other injury, should be assessed by a veterinarian to determine the best course of treatment.

General information

The NZ Veterinary Association has a policy that dogs should not be tail-docked for non-therapeutic reasons. This is on the grounds that surgical alteration to the natural state should only be conducted where it is in the best interests of the animal or has some management function

Ministry for Primary IndustriesWhy isn’t tail docking banned in the code of welfare for

dogs?

“The code of welfare for dogs only allows tail banding (removal by an elastic band), and only by knowledgeable, trained and competent people acting under a quality assurance scheme using bands on puppies less than 4 days old. Vets can still remove injured tails if they have to.

The tail docking issue is complex, and the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee considered that there isn’t enough evidence to show whether tail docking newborn puppies according to current good practice (rubber bands within 3 days of age, by a trained, competent person) causes significant pain. But, the evidence that NAWAC does have suggests that little or no pain is caused if tail docking is performed as the code requires. This issue will be looked at again when the code of welfare is reviewed.

Please not this information is provided by way of general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Parties are advised to seek independent legal advice in relation to particular situations.” (Ministry for Primary Industries, n.d)

How can we change for the better? Scientific Research

- into pain evaluation- data on the frequency & severity of tail injuries in dogs- developing new techniques of dealing with tail injuries to lessen the need for docking as a preventative measure

Consider the NZ environment – not what is done elsewhere- geographical environment for working dogs in NZ is often open farm land and native bush - often steeper hill country where a tail can be an advantage for balance & agility

Discussion - from both sides of the issue, to change perceptions of what is desirable appearance for each breed – appreciation of the tail- change tradition to reflect current trends in society’s attitudes. - not accepting that it’s done just because it has always been done

Changes to the Law- make a definitive law to stop tail-docking for non-therapeutic purposes- a clear cut position for all – no grey area- to prevent puppies being docked by incorrect methods, at inappropriate age or by untrained people

SOME COMMONLY DOCKED BREEDS

Dobermann Pinscher

German Shorthaired Pointer

SOME COMMONLY DOCKED BREEDS

Jack Russell

Schnauzer

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Is it time to change your point of view?The best tails are the one’s still attached to

the dog!!

References

Animal Welfare (Dogs) Code of Welfare 2010. (2010). Retrieved October 14, 2013, from http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/files/reqs/animal-welfare/req/codes/dogs/dogs-code-of-welfare.pdf

Colville, T & Bassert, J (2008). Clinical anatomy and physiology for veterinary technicians (2nd ed.). Missouri: Mosby.

Ministry for Primary Industries. (n.d.). Why isn’t tail docking banned in the code of welfare for dogs. Retrieved October 15, 2013, from http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/faq

New Zealand Council of Docked Breeds. (n.d.). About tail banding, Why dock. Retrieved October 15, 2013, from http://www.nzcdb.co.nz

NZ Veterinary Association. (2011). Tail Docking of Dogs. Retrieved October 18, 2013, from http://www.nzva.org.nz/policies/9c-tail-docking-dogs