Originally Posted by Nina Cole

I am utterly appalled that any genuine dog lover would support the docking of tails, and it saddens me to see the results of said poll! I can only assume that the supporters of this barbaric procedure are breeders.

Tails are docked either by ‘banding’ where a ligature is placed over the end of the tail which ‘comes away’ after 3 days, or by cutting off with surgical scissors. Where tails are cut off, stitches may be needed for larger breeds.
The procedure is usually performed without any anaesthetic (which would be too dangerous) at between three to five days of age. Complications in docking can lead to the death of the puppy and the tail stump may be painful in later life due to the formation of scar tissue.

It is pure mutilation. Tails are a vital form of communication. They also act as a counterbalance when running, walking and squatting to defecate. The majority of veterinary surgeons (over 90%), no longer dock tails and even students are no longer taught to dock tails.

Cosmetic docking is a procedure that enables dog to conform to breed standard, and there is NO scientific evidence to support the theory that undocked working dogs damage their tails anymore than non working dogs. The BVA therefore sees no justification for an exemption for working dogs.