RCVS welcomes ban on cosmetic tail-docking of dogs

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons welcomes last night's vote in the House of Commons in favour of banning the tail-docking of dogs for cosmetic purposes.

On 14 March, at Report Stage of the Animal Welfare Bill, MPs voted overwhelmingly for a new clause to prohibit the docking of dogs otherwise than for the purpose of medical treatment. The new clause makes an exception for working dogs, and amendments designed to remove this exception were narrowly rejected.

The RCVS would have preferred not to have any exceptions to the ban. It is argued that it is better for some kinds of working dogs to have their tails cut short soon after birth rather than be at risk of injury later, but there is no clear evidence to support this. If all docking were made unlawful, it would be possible to gather objective evidence on tail injuries in working dogs.

In spite of these concerns it is good that the House of Commons has given a clear signal that cosmetic docking must stop.

Lynne Hill MRCVS, the RCVS President, said:

"Few dog owners have seen a boxer or a Dobermann with the tail it was born with, and it is not easy to buy an undocked puppy in one of the breeds which are traditionally docked. The House of Commons has given a fine lead by voting to stop this cruel and unnecessary practice.

"The ban on showing dogs docked after the legislation has taken effect is a particularly positive move. It will reduce the amount of docking carried out illegally by non-veterinary surgeons and also help to change public perceptions about how certain breeds should look."