tail docking

[Budlet]

How do I go about reporting someone who has docked the tails of a litter of rottweiler puppies, and who do I report them too. This practice really sickens me and I don't think people should get away with it. Thanks

[sandmaster]

I think the RSPCA would be interested

[fredpuli47]

It is not necessarily illegal to have a dog's tail docked.The Animal Welfare Act 2006 s6 bans the practice with exceptions. Two conditions must be satisfied, above all.First a vet must certify that the dog is to be a working dog, within a narrow definition of 'working' (which would includes dogs for such purposes as the defence of military establishments) Second the dog must be "of a type" which is certified under "regulations made by the appropriate "national authority". Act s6(5) and 6(6)Can't tell , as I've not seen the regulations,whether a rottweiler is "of a type" certified ,but the RSPCA will assist. It's really a matter for them to consider and proced with, as appropriate..It ought to be hard for the person having the docking done to satisfy the conditions ( I fear it may not be, in practice!)

[Budlet]

Thanks very much for your answers. The puppies in question were apparently taken abroad to have their tails docked - they are being sold for �650 each as family pets so are definately not working dogs.

[baileybird]

if the docking was done abroad, I dont know that it will be reportable as it is legal abroad. I know dogs can be docked in Southern Ireland.
Why does this practice sicken you?

[ChocolatChip]

As long as it was done by a professional vetenarian. Then there is nothing illegal about it. You say you don't know if they are working dogs. In most cases, probably neither do their now owners. The people who will buy the puppies may decide to use them as working dogs. I have a spaniel who has a docked tail when he was a puppy. As they are well known dogs for hunting. They dock the long tails in order to stop them get caught on brambles. which would cause a lot more pain for the dogs. And if serious a tail docking as an adult.

[ChocolatChip]

I forgot to mention, that our spaniel is a pet. Not a working dog. However, the breeder has to cover all chances.

[baileybird]

I had our boxer puppy imported to ensure that she could be docked legally.

[fredpuli47]

Why would anyone want a boxer docked? What's the reason? Does it look better? You can't exhibit it in a show here,if theshow is not free to the public, if the docking was done since the Act came in. I've got a docked spaniel here, but her pups weren't docked and, grown dogs now, they look a lot better with the natural tail.

[gelda]

I agree with you Fred, unless the dog is liable to injure itself with a tail what's the point!

[baileybird]

We have always had boxers. Let me explain.
All our boxers have been docked until our last puppy. By 6 months he had snapped his tail twice and ended up with serious necrotic infection. The tail was docked to cure twice, going higher and higher above the injuries. Sadly this boxer died. Never again would i subject a dog to this.