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Animal welfare charities urge MSPs not to back reintroduction of tail-docking

(Fraser Bremner)
(Fraser Bremner)

ANIMAL welfare charities are urging MSPs not to vote in favour of re-introducing tail-docking.

MSPs will vote later on the proposals to end the outright ban on the practice for dogs in Scotland.

The legislative changes to create exemptions for two breeds would allow vets to shorten the tails of spaniels and hunt point retrievers by up to a third when they are puppies up to five days old.

The Scottish SPCA say they ‘fiercely oppose’ the suggested changes.

The organisation’s Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said, “The proposed changes are based on research which we believe was not statistically representative as the main respondents were linked to the user groups or individuals associated with countryside enthusiasts.

“To reverse or reduce the ban would not only go against the Scottish Government’s commitment to animal welfare, but also fly in the face of the huge opposition of such a change by the vast majority of veterinary surgeons and their governing bodies, the Scottish SPCA and many others.

He added: “Our stance on tail docking has not changed. We do not believe in any procedures that compromise animal welfare and are carried out for cosmetic reasons, or simply to suit the convenience of humans.

“Tail docking is associated with a number of negative health impacts and the process itself can cause great distress to puppies that undergo the procedure at just five days old. The healing process may take some time and could cause consequent health problems in later life.

 

“The Society firmly believe that any change to current legislation would be a backwards step for animal welfare and the veterinary profession in Scotland.

“The Scottish Government was applauded worldwide for taking this stance and putting animal welfare first back in 2007 and we see no need for this to change.”

The proposals are backed by the Scottish Gamekeepers Association, who say it is a “progressive, evidence-based step for animal welfare” as it would prevent tail injuries in working dogs.

But Libby Anderson, Policy Adviser to the OneKind charity, said: “Reintroducing tail-docking would be a backwards step for animal welfare in Scotland.

“We urge all MSPs to listen to the Scottish public, to veterinary organisation and to animal welfare charities, all of whom overwhelmingly oppose this proposal. Please vote for animal welfare tomorrow and reject these proposals.

The timing of the vote was only made public on the afternoon of Tuesday 20th of June. Libby added: “We are surprised and disappointed that the vote has been scheduled with only 24 hours warning. This is a controversial proposal that would result in a weakening of animal welfare law in Scotland.

“OneKind and the Scottish public would have appreciated a full debate and sufficient time for constituents to make their views known to their elected representatives”

The Scottish Government brought in the ban on tail docking in 2007 as part of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006, which also makes it illegal to take a dog out of Scotland to have its tail removed.

While other parts of the UK have a ban on docking, there are exemptions for working dogs including spaniels, hunt point retrievers and terriers.

The parliamentary vote on Wednesday follows Holyrood’s Environment Committee passing the changes by seven votes to three last week, with Green and Labour members against the changes and SNP and the Conservatives in favour.

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham told the committee evidence shows these types of gun dogs are at increased risk of injury without having their tails docked.

She said: “The regulations also ensure as far as is reasonably possible that only dogs likely to be used for lawful shooting purposes can have their tails shortened and that veterinarians are the only persons who may carry out the procedure.”

The vet must be satisfied they have sufficient evidence to show the animal will be used as a working dog in later life.

She denied the Government was opening up a loophole in the law – crediting the narrow focus on specific breeds – despite saying some puppies with shortened tails would “clearly” end up as pets.

A total of 92% of those who took part in a Government consultation supported docking for the two specified breeds.