Sir, Vets and animal welfare organisations are united in their opposition to non-therapeutic tail docking of dogs, a practice which is painful, unnecessary and must be outlawed (report, Jan 19).

Docking involves cutting or crushing a puppy’s skin, muscles, up to seven pairs of nerves, and bone and cartilage and is performed without anaesthetic when pups are just three to five days old.

At this age they can feel pain, and research indicates they do so at a greater intensity than adult dogs because the ability to suppress pain develops with age and experience.

Those in favour of docking often suggest the procedure is done to prevent tail damage in working dogs, yet docking has become standard in certain breeds regardless of whether the individual puppy ever actually works. Also, not all working breeds are traditionally docked.

TIM MILES
Chief Veterinary Adviser, RSPCA
DR FREDA SCOTT-PARK
President, British Veterinary Association
CARMEL MOONEY
President, British Small Animal Veterinary Association

Sir, The Government has not done a U-turn on the tail docking of dogs. The Government holds the view that it should not be the persuader on such a contentious issue. We have consistently said that we will listen to the views of Parliament. The views of the standing committee considering the Animal Welfare Bill were very strongly in favour of a complete ban on the docking of dogs’ tails.

Given that, we are currently considering how best to reflect the will of the committee and of the Commons more widely as the Bill proceeds through the House. However, the debate on tail docking continues.

BEN BRADSHAW MP
Minister for Animal Welfare

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Sir, MPs who are contemplating a ban on docking working dogs’ tails should look closely at the security which protects them in Westminster. They will see docked springer spaniels used as sniffer dogs.

Thousands like them are used by Customs, the police and the Armed Forces. Hundreds of thousands are used to retrieve game and to track injured deer through thick undergrowth.

They are not docked to make them look pretty. The last third of their tail is removed by a vet in the first days of their life to prevent injuries later in life. Spaniels and pointer breeds are particularly prone to tail damage which can leave them with flesh lacerated to the bone. Often the only solution is painful amputation, which can be distressing for dog and owner.

Veterinary surgeons should have the discretion to dock the tail of a pup intended to become a working dog if they are satisfied it is in the animal’s best interest.

JOHN SWIFT
Chief Executive,
British Association for Shooting and Conservation

Sir, Working dogs have their tails docked within a few days of birth, before the nervous system is fully developed, and it is illegal for anyone other than a veterinary surgeon to carry out the procedure.

In practice, almost no vet will dock when the dog is more than five days old, and some will not do it after more than two. As anyone who has seen a working dog whose tail has not been docked will know, the consequences can be horrific. Long tails frequently get torn by gorse and brambles; and once the tail has been wounded, the chances are the wound will be reopened every time the dog works again.

The Animal Welfare Bill is generally an excellent piece of legislation, and should command a significant degree of support among all those who work with and care for animals. It would be unfortunate, to say the least, if the first significant change made by it is an ill- considered ban on a long- established welfare practice.

DAVID FURSDON
President, Country Land & Business Association
London SW1

Sir, How can a government that is so concerned for the welfare of puppy dogs’ tails continue to allow the practice of male infant circumcision for non-medical reasons?

BYRON WALMSLEY
Consultant Urological Surgeon
Wickham, Hants

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