Every Dog Should Have a Tail to Tell
MPs' contact details can be found at http://www.locata.co.uk/commons and MSPs' contact details can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/msp/index.htm
Points to raise in a letter to your MP
1. Start by mentioning that you are a constituent and that you are writing regarding the recently published Animal Welfare Bill (England and Wales) or the Animal Health and Welfare Bill (Scotland).
2. While under the bill docking is considered to be a mutilation, there is concern that it may be permitted by way of an exemption clause in secondary legislation.
3. You are therefore seeking your MPs support in voting for a complete ban on the non-therapeutic (cosmetic or prophylactic) docking of dogs’ tails.
4. Acknowledge that the case both for and against docking has aroused much controversy and emotion but that the veterinary profession’s opposition (rekindled in the 1960s and ongoing since) to the non-therapeutic docking of puppies’ tails is because vets do not believe that it is in the animal’s best interests.
5. While the scientific evidence shows convincingly that puppies feel pain during the process of docking, any doubts raised about pain by proponents of docking should be dealt with under the precautionary principle that, where there is doubt, the animals should be protected from a potentially painful process. You also believe that the use of the tail to communicate is essential to a dog’s well being.
6. There is also no scientific evidence to show that undocked working dogs damage their tails any more than undocked non-working dogs. A seven year study at the University of Edinburgh Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies showed insufficient evidence of statistical significance to suggest a positive Association between tail injuries and undocked tails (Darke et al, 1985). You therefore see no justification for an exemption for working dogs and consider that any such exemption would be unworkable and would result in dogs continuing to be docked unnecessarily.
7. A blanket ban can be implemented and enforced. Once exemptions are introduced into the law there will always be an opportunity for exploitation of a loophole and inevitably the law will fail to protect the animals that it is intended to protect.
8. If further background information is required this can be provided either via yourself direct or via the Policy Directorate at BVA – contact Chrissie Nicholls on 020 7636 6541 or email chrissien@bva.co.uk.