Under what circumstances is tail docking allowed?

Neil is convinced tail docking reduces painful working injuries.

By Neil McIntosh

Tuesday, 06 December 2011

I hope you can help. I have a 20 month-old Springer bitch, which I have had from 10 weeks of age, and she has a full length tail.

Now that she is working on shoots her tail is fast becoming a concern because it ends up covered in blood every time we go out.

I have spoken to my local vet plus a few others for advice and I get the same response which is basically that only if it is broken and hanging off do they consider doing something about it.

I don’t think this is acceptable because surely it is kinder to prevent than repair isn’t it? Would you please be able to help me or point me in the right direction of someone who can?

TAIL DOCKING
Neil McIntosh
This topic has driven me mad since a certain TV vet announced that 90% of vets were against tail docking.

She certainly didn’t ask me!

The law is a mess on this issue and there is much nonsense talked!

In Scotland, it is illegal to dock any dog’s tail, except on medical grounds.

In England, puppies can be docked, by a vet, providing he can satisfy himself that they are intended to be used as working dogs.

Some vets now seem unaware of the situation and believe there is a carpet ban on docking.

Despite the propaganda, however, it is perfectly acceptable to dock an adult dog’s tail where there are reasonable medical grounds to do so.

It is hard, in my book at least, to argue that repeated tail injuries, which result in bleeding, do not cause discomfort and increase the risk of infection.

It would therefore seem reasonable to remove that tail.

Indeed, I recently had to remove a police dog’s tail for the same reason. (And I wasn’t subsequently arrested).

Ask around when you are on a shoot.