Docking (dog)
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'''Docking''' is the [[amputation]] of portions of an animal's [[tail]] or [[ear]]s. While docking and '''bobbing''' are more commonly used to refer to removal of the tail, the term '''cropping''' is used in reference to the ears. Tail docking occurs in one of two ways. The first involves constricting the blood supply to the tail with a rubber [[ligature (medicine)|ligature]] for a few days until the tail falls off. The second involves the severance of the tail with a surgical scissors or scalpel.<ref name="defra"/>
==History of docking and cropping==
Historically, tail docking was thought to prevent rabies, strengthen the back, increase the animal's speed and prevent injuries when [[Rat-baiting|ratting]], [[dog fighting|fighting]] and [[Bait (dogs)|baiting]].<ref name="defra">[http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare/domestic/awbillconsulttaildocking.pdf A review of the scientific aspects and veterinary opinions relating to tail docking in dogs]</ref> In early Georgian times in the [[United Kingdom]], tax was levied upon working dogs with tails and so many types of dogs were docked to avoid this tax.<ref name="defra"/> The tax was repealed in 1796 but that did not stop the practice from persisting.
In modern times, tail docking is done either for [[prophylaxis|prophylactic]], [[therapeutic]] or [[cosmetic]] purposes. For dogs who worked in fields, such as some [[hunting dog]]s and some [[herding dog]]s, tails could collect [[Burr (fruit)|burr]]s and [[foxtail]]s, causing pain and infection{{Fact|date=February 2008}}; tails with long fur could collect feces and become a cleanliness problem{{Fact|date=February 2008}}; and particularly for herding dogs, longer tails could be caught in gates behind livestock{{Fact|date=February 2008}}. Many hunting dogs’ tails are docked to prevent them from becoming injured while running through thickets and briars while fetching hunters' prey.
In dogs used for guarding property (such as [[Doberman]]s or [[Boxer (dog)|Boxers]]), docked ears are thought to make the breed appear more ferocious; hanging ears are reminiscent of the naturally droopy ears of puppies, looking more cute than dangerous. Cosmetic docking is also done to meet breed registries standards.
For dogs with tail injuries that cannot be treated sufficiently with basic medical treatment, the tail can be docked to remove the damaged portion.
==Controversy==
[[Image:Boxer (dog).jpg|thumb|right|Boxers with natural and docked ears and docked tails]]
Docking of the tail and ears are both procedures which have been subject to controversy in recent times. Proponents state that the procedures are not significantly painful and can prevent future health problems that cause more pain and risk of infection than the docking procedure. Proponents believe that docking done almost immediately after birth ensures that the wound heals easily and properly, claiming that whatever little pain the procedure cause is a worthwhile trade off.
Docking of less than 10-14 days old puppies are routinely carried out by both breeders and veterinarians without anesthesia.<ref>[http://www.cdb.org/defra/sub1.htm]</ref> Opponents of these procedures state that most tail dockings are done for aesthetic reasons rather than health concerns and are unnecessarily painful for the dog. They point out that even non-working show or pet dogs are routinely docked. They argue that in breeds whose tails have been traditionally and routinely docked over centuries, such as [[Australian Shepherd]]s, little attention is paid to [[selective breeding|selectively breeding]] for strong and healthy tails.{{Fact|date=July 2007}} As a result, tail defects that docking proponents claim makes docking necessary in the first place are perpetuated in the breeds. They point out the many breeds of working dogs with long tails that are not traditionally docked, including [[English Pointer]]s, [[Setter]]s, [[Sheep dog]]s and [[Foxhound]]s.
Robert Wansborough argues in a 1996 paper<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.scottvet.co.uk/tailwag/docking1.txt | title= Cosmetic tail docking of dogs tails | last= Wansborough | first= Robert | publisher= Australian Veterinary
Journal | date= [[1 July]] [[1996]] | accessdate= 2007-12-31}}</ref>
that docking dogs' tails puts them at a disadvantage in several ways. Firstly, Wansborough argues that dogs use their tails actively in communicating with other dogs (and with people); a dog without a tail might be significantly handicapped in conveying fear, caution, aggression, playfulness, and so on. In addition, certain dog breeds use their tails as rudders when swimming, and possibly for balance when running, so active dogs with docked tails might be at a disadvantage compared to their tailed peers.
Wansborough also investigates seven years of records from an urban veterinary practice to demonstrate that undocked tails result in less harm than docked tails.
Critics point out that kennel clubs with breed standards that does not make allowance for uncropped or undocked dogs put pressure on owners and breeders to continue the practice. Although the [[American Kennel Club]] (AKC) says that it has no rules that require docking or that make undocked animals ineligible for the show ring,<ref>[http://www.akc.org/events/conformation/faqs.cfm faq] American Kennel Club</ref> breed standards for many breeds puts undocked animals at a disadvantage for the [[conformation show]] ring. For example, the breed standard for boxers recommend that an undocked tail be "severely penalized."<ref>[http://www.akc.org/breeds/boxer/index.cfm Boxer Breed Standard] American Kennel Club</ref> The AKC position is that ear cropping and tail docking are "acceptable practices integral to defining and preserving breed character and/or enhancing good health."<ref>[http://www.akc.org/canine_legislation/position_statements.cfm#earcropping Ear Cropping, Tail Docking and Dewclaw Removal] American Kennel Club Canine Legislation Position Statements </ref>
==Legal status==
[[Image:Doberman earstaped.jpg|thumb|left|A Doberman Pinscher puppy with its ears taped to train them into the desired shape and carriage after cropping]]
Today, many countries consider cropping and docking to be cruel or [[mutilation]] and ban it entirely. In Europe, the cropping of ears is prohibited in all countries that have ratified the [[European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals]] while some countries that ratified had made exceptions for tail docking.
===Legality in the United Kingdom===
Show dogs are no longer docked in the [[United Kingdom]]. A dog docked before [[28 March]] [[2007]] in Wales and [[6 April]] [[2007]] in England may continue to be shown at all shows in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland throughout its natural life. A dog docked on, or after, the above dates, irrespective of where it was docked, may not be shown at shows in England and Wales where the public is charged a fee for admission. However, where a working dog has been docked in England and Wales under the respective regulations, it may be shown where the public are charged a fee, so long as it is shown “only to demonstrate its working ability”. It will thus be necessary to show working dogs in such a way as ONLY to demonstrate their working ability and not conformity to a standard. A dog legally docked in England, Wales, Northern Ireland or abroad may be shown at any show in Scotland or Northern Ireland.
In [[England and Wales]], ear cropping is illegal and no dog with cropped ears can take part in any Kennel Club event (including agility and other nonconformation events). Tail docking is also illegal, except for a few working breeds, but only when carried out by a registered veterinary surgeon.
The [[Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons]] (RCVS), the regulatory body for veterinary surgeons in the United Kingdom, has said that they consider tail docking to be "an unjustified mutilation and unethical unless done for therapeutic or acceptable prophylactic reasons". In 1995 a veterinary surgeon was brought before the RCVS disciplinary council for "disgraceful professional conduct" for carrying out cosmetic docking. The vet claimed that the docking was performed to prevent future injuries and the case was dismissed for lack of evidence otherwise. Although cosmetic docking is still considered unacceptable by the RCVS, no further disciplinary action has been taken against vets performing docking.
In March 2006, an amendment was made to the Animal Welfare Bill (now the Animal Welfare Act 2006) which makes the docking of dogs' tails illegal, except for working dogs such as those used by the police force, the military, rescue services, pest control and those used in connection with lawful animal shooting. Three options were presented to Parliament with Parliament opting for the second:
* An outright ban on docking dogs' tails (opposed by a majority of 278 to 267)
* A ban on docking dogs' tails with an exception for working dogs (supported by a majority of 476 to 63)
* Retention of the status quo.
Those found guilty of unlawful docking would face a fine of up to £20,000, up to 51 weeks imprisonment or both.
In [[Northern Ireland]] legislation regarding docking has not yet been drawn up. It is therefore still legal.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/04/05/npets05.xml | title= Neglectful dog owners could face prosection | work= The Daily Telegraph | date=[[5 April]] [[2007]] | accessdate=2007-12-30}}</ref>
In Scotland docking of any breed is illegal. The [[Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006]] contains provisions prohibiting the mutilation of domesticated animals.
===Legal status of dog tail docking by country===
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* [[Argentina]]: Unrestricted
* [[Australia]]: Banned in all states and territories as of June [[2004]]. Restricted to [[veterinarian]]s, for welfare, not [[Beauty|cosmetic]].<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.abc.net.au/northtas/stories/s1079866.htm | title = Tail docking illegal in Australia | publisher= ABC Northern Tasmania | date= [[2 April]] [[2004]] | accessdate= 2007-12-31}}</ref>
* [[Austria]]: Banned as of [[1 January]] [[2005]] according to the "Bundestierschutzgesetz" §7.1
* [[Belgium]]: Banned as pf [[1 January]] [[2006]]
* [[Brazil]]: Banned for cosmetic purposes.
* [[Canada]]: Unrestricted
* [[Chile]]: Unrestricted
* [[Croatia]]: Banned
* [[Cyprus]]: Banned in 1991<ref name="wsava">[http://www.wsava.org/Taildock.htm WSAVA Tail Docking Position Statement<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
* [[Czech Republic]]: Banned
* [[Denmark]]: Banned as of [[1 June]] [[1996]], with exceptions for five [[gun dog]] breeds
* [[England]]: Restricted as of 2006 - can only be done by vet on a number of [[working dog]] breeds. <ref name="exmemo">[http://www.cdb.org/awa/explanatory%20memorandum.pdf Explanatory memorandum to the docking of working dogs' tails (ENGLAND) regulation 2007 ]</ref>
* [[Estonia]]: Banned as of 2001
* [[Finland]]: Banned in 1992. Exception on tail docking, although banned on dog shows.<ref name="defra"/>
* [[France]]: Banned as of [[4 August]] [[2003]]
* [[Germany]]: Banned on [[1 May]] [[1992]], with exceptions for working [[gun dog]]s.<ref name="defra"/>
* [[Greece]]: Banned in 1991<ref name="wsava"/>
* [[Hungary]]: Banned
* [[Iceland]]: Banned as of 2001
* [[India]]: Unrestricted
* [[Indonesia]]: Unrestricted
* [[Ireland]]: Banned as of January 2008
* [[Israel]]: Banned for cosmetic purposes in 2000.<ref name="defra"/>
* [[Latvia]]: Banned
* [[Lithuania]]: Banned
* [[Luxembourg]]: Banned in 1991<ref name="wsava"/>
* [[Mauritius]]: Unrestricted
* [[Mexico]]: Unrestricted
* [[Netherlands]]: Banned as of [[1 September]] [[2001]]
* [[New Zealand]]: Unrestricted
* [[Nepal]]: Unrestricted
* [[Northern Ireland]]: Unrestricted tail docking, Ear Cropping Illegal.
* [[Norway]]: Docking banned since 1987
* [[Philippines]]: Unrestricted
* [[Portugal]]: Unrestricted
* [[Russia]]: Unrestricted
* [[Republic of China (Taiwan)]]: Unrestricted.
* [[Republic of Ireland]]: Unrestricted for dogs.
* [[Scotland]]: Banned as of 2006 for all breeds.
* [[Slovakia]]: Banned as of [[1 January]] [[2003]]
* [[South Africa]]: Banned as of June [[2007]]
* [[Sweden]]: Banned as of 1989. Apparent increase in tail injuries reported among working dogs after ban.<ref name="defra"/>
* [[Switzerland]]: Banned as of [[1 July]], [[1981]] for the ears and 1988 for the tail<ref name="defra"/>
* [[Turin]] and [[Rome]], [[Italy]]: Banned
* [[United States]]: Unrestricted (some states, including New York,<ref>{{ cite web | url= http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=2908 | title= NEW CALL TO ACTION FOR AMENDED NY STATE CROP/DOCK BILL | publisher= [[American Kennel Club]] | date= [[9 June]] [[2006]] | accessdate= 2007-12-31}}</ref> and Vermont have considered bills to make the practice illegal)
* [[Virgin Islands]]: Banned as of 2005
* [[Wales]]: Same legislation as England.
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
=== Pro-docking organizations ===
*[http://www.cdb.org/index.htm The Council of Docked Breeds]
*[http://www.vets4docking.org.uk/intro.htm Vets4Docking]
=== Anti-docking organizations ===
*[http://www.anti-dockingalliance.co.uk/index.htm The Anti-Docking Alliance]
[[Category:Dog anatomy]]
[[Category:Dog health]]
[[Category:Livestock]]
[[Category:Animal welfare]]
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