Tail docking is a very emotive subject. The Docked Breeds Association of South Africa aims to educate the public as well as to protect the freedom to choice of those breeders and puppy buyers who choose the tail docking option. We are manned by breeders of the traditionally docked breeds.
Some facts
The SAVC is not allowed to prevent their own members from docking. All they could do was to issue a statement that they 'no longer condone' the practice (ref SAVC journal d/d November 06). The only thing that can happen to their members is the threat of prosecution under the current Animal Protection Act (last amended 1993).
The tactics used by both the SAVC and SPCA is threat based on gross misinformation. The SPCA would have to prove animal cruelty should they decide to prosecute anyone. The principle of this issue has already been tested in New South Wales where the RSPCA was unable to prove cruelty in a court case against a person who correctly docked puppy tails.
The other charge the SPCA is trying to bring against people is that of maiming. The dictionary definition of maim is ' to disable' or 'to render defective'. Neither is true for a docked dog. There are a lot of people who are of the opinion that docking enhances the dogs ability to function. As docking has already been labeled 'cosmetic' there is a clear acknowledgement that it does not disfigure the dog. It certainly in no way renders the dog defective.
A recent addition to the above is to attempt to label tail docking a 'surgical procedure' which is only allowed to be performed by a veterinarian. It is not a surgical procedure and if it was there are going to be a lot of farmers up in arms as they will have to call in a veterinarian to dock their sheep's tails in future.
There is a whole lot being printed as 'fact' without substantiating it with scientific references. Below are some of the arguments most commonly put forward followed by some facts and logic.
Pain is felt even with local anesthesia
Well, maybe that is means that the anesthesia was not properly administered? There are so many references proving that local anesthesia works that this is a rather ridiculous statement. I have had procedures done under local anesthesia and felt no pain at all. I bet most of the readers have too. However, local anesthesia is not even required when docking a puppy at a few days old.
Recent research in pain management indicated clearly that puppies of even a few days old have fully developed nervous systems
Please quote General References so that we can all check up this startling new research. Refer Prof. Dr. R. Fritsch's research results in the development of the nervous system in animals. Or try applying some common sense. If puppies did have fully developed nervous systems they would be able to see, hear and run around. Even a human baby of a few days old does not have a fully develop nervous system - check with your local anesthetist or pediatrician to verify this. On the other hand a little lamb does. It can see, hear and run at speed shortly after born. Sheep tails are still being docked and SAVC defends the procedure. I do not see any evidence of the SPCA doing anything about it either.
Docking puppies tails does not provide any benefit
Rather a lot of us do see benefit in docking tails of traditionally docked breeds. There is also startling evidence of injury to tails in traditionally docked dogs that have been left undocked. I refer to a study done in Sweden, published in 1992, where there has been found that about 30% more undocked dogs suffered serious tail injuries than docked dogs. Refer to injury reports now being published from the UK for further evidence.
Dogs need their tails for balance and body language
What scientific evidence is this statement based on? As and example take two breeds, Boxers and Dobermanns. Both are developed breeds that have always had their tails docked - at least till recently. Both are acknowledged to be extremely agile and successfully participate in sports where agility and balance is a significant requirement. I have lived with and bred docked and undocked dogs since a I was a child. There really is no visible difference in their ability to communicate.
Amputate a limb
A tail is not a limb. The view that a dog cannot function properly without a tail is without foundation. Removal of a tail does not impede/hamper the dog in any way. There are in fact many people who feel it helps the dog perform the function it is tended for. For example, in the UK where there legislation to prevent docking there are exceptions made for certain categories of dogs in acknowledgement that these dogs need to be docked for reasons required by the function they perform.
It is for aesthetic reasons only so should not be allowed
Only the uniformed and misinformed think it is for aesthetic reasons only. BUT, even if it was: Cosmetic surgery for humans is totally acceptable. Stop cosmetic surgery in humans and you may have a case. There are many other procedures being performed on animals by vets that really should not be allowed and are a lot more invasive, in may cases down right cruel. All of them essentially to make life more convenient for humans.
Some other issues that needs to be aired
There have been some very disturbing recent incidents concerning vets. A few have threatened their own clients with 'reporting' them if they bring in young dogs or puppies that are docked for treatment. I would very much like to ask them just what law enforces this requirement? There is no such law. There are even reports of some vets refusing to treat docked dogs. If a dog needed treatment and it is refused on those grounds would that not constitute cruelty? What on earth happened to their medical ethics? What about normal confidentiality? Is treating the animal who may need help not more important than alienating their clients by trying to enforce what can only be a personal point of view? A vet who reports anyone for owning a docked dog or for docking a puppy's tail lay him/herself open to prosecution if that person is then prosecuted or harassed by the SPCA as a result.
Please note that the widely published case the SPCA refer to where someone pleaded guilty to 'tail docking' as being cruel does not refer to an incident where a dog was correctly docked at a few day old. Tying several elastic bands around a 4 month old puppy's tail is not tail docking and certainly not what any of us would do or condone.
If the impact on the dog is the main criteria for measuring if a procedure should be allowed or not I would strongly suggest that the policy of sterilization be reviewed. It is a painful operation and the negative effects far outweighs the positive effects (Laura J Sanborn, MS May 14, 2007). It is basically done to make life easier for the humans on the planet. I am not advocating no more sterilization, just pointing out the inconsistency of the anti docking sentiment.
May I suggest to the SAVC and the SPCA that they spend their time and funds fighting the real animal cruelty in South Africa (and there is unfortunately a lot!) rather than going after the 'easy, highly visible target' where a dog is in a loving home and being beautifully cared for. Several of us who have routinely donated to the SPCA have stopped. The work we have always done to fight animal cruelty is now being channeled thru other organisations. At present it appears as though the SPCA has been hijacked by militant animal activists who have as their aim to eventually ensure that nobody has any pets of any kind.
Get in touch with the Docked Breeds Association if you encounter a problem with the SPCA when correctly docking a puppy at a few days old. We will fight this as a group and help you prepare a de fence if you are prosecuted.
Prepared for the Docked Breeds Association of SA by MK - Updated March 2010
