THE LEGISLATION AND
ETHICS OF
TAIL DOCKING DOGS
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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 & cons for the dog:
Pros
Docked
Dog
Undocked
Dog
Cons
Avoids future tail injuries
and the possibility of undergoing
tail amputation surgery as
an adult. To fit breed standards.
Loses the advantages
of having a tail for the
purposes nature
intended
Has the benefit of using the
tail for communication,
balance.
Would have to undergo
painful tail surgery
and recovery if injured
Pros & cons for the owner:
Docked
Dog
Cost of docking pup is minimal
compared to tail amp surgery.
Less suffering then injury later.
Public disapproval from
those opposed. Harder
to read body language
Undocked
Dog
Knowing the emotional state
your dog is displaying.
Cost & downtime of
injury to tail
NZ LEGISLATION
In 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
a) 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 Industries
Why 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/animalwelfare/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