Working Spaniels-Tail Docking Controversial

I think most people tend to use the term 'Crufts Qualified' rather than 'was shown at Crufts' which would stand whether the dog actually went or not.

well, I must just have had 2 exceptional dogs then ;-) My Springer with a 3/4 dock was one of, if not THE, fastest Springer to ever compete at BFA flyball and my shorter docked cocker boy is proving even faster, he has one of the must superb natural swimmers turns off the box I have ever seen, in any breed.

I'm not anti-docking (obviously) but I have had rear dew claws removed from BC's, both as pups and on a 4 month old I bought in that had not been done as a pup, while the older one didn't bat an eyelid at the GA, surgey and the 4 stitches in each leg she required, I was much happier getting them done at 2 days old.

if you read the post properly and not in your biased way youd see i put the momma trys to bite of the band not the puppy(duh)

i am saying a puppy can feel pain
also im saying a 3 day old puppy crys when he is hurt and crys when he sits on his tail.or banded tail
if you find it hard to understand put a band round your wee finger and then tell me it doesnt hurt,
im not against docking im against the notion of breeders and ppl not saying what happens and what hurts,and what doesnt hurt,
vaccination is only a wee needle prick and some cry and some dont but they still need done,what im saying is it hurts,no matter how its dressed up it hurts.

Ok up to now i have stayed away from this thread , as i have boxers , i have my pups docked by my vet at three days old , i have never used the rubber band method , i much prefer the straight forward cut , its over in minutes , and some of my pups have slept straight threw , and after a week the scab falls of and they are non the worse for ware , i have known of other boxer breeders who use the banding method and the puppies have suffered with it , and they have even lost puppies to scepticema , xxdk

I am at present boarding a 3 legged large crossbreed with a docked tail! (due to injury) He can outrun the GSD he lives with, turn on a sixpence and has incredible balance, more so than many other dogs we board.
Dawn.

I'm only going by what I've read about it and I haven't seen anywhere that sports such as agility and obedience will be under working ability, although I haven't checked the law since it first came out so it might have changed without me knowing .

You know we can only respond to what we read, I have read and re-read your posts and nowhere in your replys did you mention the mother of the pups, the post read

I read that paragrah as , meaning the puppies biting their tails off, if you ment the dam, maybe you could have made it clearer;-)

I totally respect your view on that,and never questioned it. we all have out own opinions, so why class my view as biased, it is not a slurr against you, just voicing my own opinion.

Of cause a puppy will cry if he is hurt, a puppy will cry for many reasons, hungry , mums moved away, and so on.

This bit I do find hard to understand, how any 3 day old pup can pull himself up to into a sitting postion..:? :?

As for wrapping a band round my finger and leaving it, yes it will hurt, as the last time I checked , my finger was made up of fully formed bone and nerves...

Where as a 3 day old a does not have a fully developed nervous system, so compareing the 2 just does not fit.

Dont make this personal, it is not, you made a statement, I only questioned it along with someone else, as I found it differcult to understand....how such young pups can be so well developed, to achieve such a feat.

ive seen them not batting a eyelid when banded,but trying to bite them off,3 days later


it was meant as the dam,the brain working quicker than the fingers in this account.;-)
whoever pups do have the ability to move around at 3 days,i teach our females to sit away from the puppies(newborn)thus to encourage the pups to seak there moms,hopefully not encouraging her to squish anyone being over bearing as sometimes it can happen.so they can move around,and having ever had only one banded litter ever,im going on my own experiences of the pups crying when they come into contact with there rears and cry and have even squealed,so the point of it not hurting i have a problem with,and do much prefer the straight forward cutting method as its quick and easyer on the pups,and straight back for a feed after.
so i agree there.and im not making it personal it was a statement i would have used if anyone would have posted the same as you posted,im not into personal scraps on a forum,i come on here because i like to and have friends on here,i dont come on to start or add to rows,there is enough of that going on without longstanding members starting on each other ;-) .

[ Pain myths in neonate puppies ]

"Lack of myelination is an index of immaturity in the neonatal nervous system and therefore neonates are not capable of pain perception :
We know this is no longer correct, in fact the contrary occurs.
Anatomical studies have shown that the density of cutaneous nociceptive nerve endings in the late foetus and newborn animal may equal or exceed that of adult skin (Anand and Cart 1989).
Nociceptive impulses are conducted via unmyelinated and thinly myelinated fibres. The slower conduction velocity in neonatal nerves resulting from incomplete myelination is offset by the shorter interneuronal and neuromuscular distances that the impulse has to travel. It has been shown, using quantitative neuroanatomical methods, that nerve tracts associated with nociception in the spinal cord and brain stem are completely myelinated up to the thalamus during gestation (Anand and Cart 1989).

Further development of the pain pathways occurs during puppyhood when there is a high degree of 'brain plasticity.' The development of descending inhibitory pain pathways in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord and the sensory brain stem nuclei also occurs during this period, therefore painful and other experiences during this period may determine the final architecture of the adult pain system.

THE PAIN OF TAIL DOCKING.

Tail docking involves the removal of all or part of the tail using cutting or crushing instruments. Muscles, tendons,
4 to 7 pairs of nerves and sometimes bone or cartilage are severed. The initial pain from the direct injury to the nervous system would be intense and at a level that would not be permitted to be inflicted on humans.
The subsequent tissue injury and inflammation, especially if the tail is left to heal as an open wound will produce
the algogenic substances, the 'sensitising soup' and the 'dorsal horn wind up' required for peripheral and central
sensitisation and the development of ongoing pathological pain.
Puppies are usually subjected to this pain and trauma at 2 to 5 days of age when the level of pain would he much greater than an adult would experience because the afferent stimuli reaching the dorsal horn from a greater density of sensitised cutaneous nociceptors will exceed that of the adult and the strength and frequency of painful stimuli reaching the brain will he greater
because inhibitory pain pathways will not be developed.

*The whimpering and the 'escape response' (continual movements) exhibited by most puppies following tail docking, are evidence that they are feeling substantial pain. Animals tend to be more stoic than humans due to an inherent preservation instinct.
* Because some puppies do not show signs of intense suffering, it does not mean that the pain inflicted on them has not registered in their central nervous system."

REFERENCES

Anand KJS and Carr DB (1989) Paediatric Clinics Of North Am. 36:795
Arnold S, Arnold P. Hubler M, Casal M and Rusch P (1989) Schwelzer Archiv fur Tierheilkunde 131: 259. (English translation
European J. of Companion Anim Practice (1992) 2:65)
Burrows C and Elilson G (1989) In Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 3rd edn, edited by Ettinger SW, Saunders Philadelphia.p1559.
Canfield R (1986) Anatomical Aspects of Perineal Hernia in the Dog, PhD Doctoral thesis, University of Sydney
Darke PGG, Thrusfield MVand Aitken CGG (1985) Vet Rec 116:409
Dart CM (1994) In Pain and its Control University of Sydney Post Graduate Commitee In Veterinary Science, Proceedings No 226.
p333.
Fleeman L (1995) Control of Pain - What's the Latest? University of Melboume Veterinary Clinic and Hospital.
Holt PE and Thruslield MV (1993) Vet rec 133:177
Miller M (1969) Anatomy of the Dog, Saunders, Philadelphia. p 189
Morton D(1992) Vet Rec 131:301
Tucker M (1994) AVA News Oct p 16

couldnt give reppies to you patch but would have liked to ,on your last post ,i know they feel pain,and i dont need a study to prove that,well done on your fine post as always xxzbxx:smt023 :smt023 :smt023

Fanx ZB but [ unfortunately ] I did`nt write it myself ;-)
Its from a veterinary journal - researched and written by veterinary medical experts who have the technical skills and equipment - and lack of bias because its clinical research - to be the ones to listen to imo, they had no axe to grind and were looking for the facts either way :smt001

[

You see Patch, for every report you find to support anti docking , you will find one that supports it, and they are all veterinary surgeons too.

It all boils down to opinion really.

What I dont understand is, if you have such a strong view on docking , why do you continue to dock your puppies, surely if any breeder felt it was so painfull to dock, they would not support the procedure

Absolutely there are often conflicting views in many things - however I feel there is a difference between practising vets who have done it for years just because it was the `done thing` and in their interests to be allowed to keep doing it, and independant researchers who have a considerable amount more data and equipment to work with ;-)

What your quoted piece seems to forget to mention is that Wansborough only compiled the report - the information and conclusions were the result of unbiased researchers and pain specialists - not just vets who have done it for so long they don`t [ want to ;-) ] know the implications of the reality on puppies they inflict it on because it flies in the face of `do no harm`.

Your list = 101 [ including those too...shy...to be named ]

My list = lots longer than your list :smt016 ;-) feel free to count `em

Sophie Adamantos BVSc CertVA DipACVECC MRCVS
Jamie Adams BVSc MRCVS
Royal Veterinary College, London
Diane D. Addie PhD, BVMS, MRCVS.
"Dear Vets Against Docking, What a fabulous idea your website is. Please add my name. When I was in practice I'd be called upon to cut off, without an anaesthetic, puppy tails that were as big as my finger . This is a barbaric practice which should have been banned years ago. Gandhi said " I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man." What could be more helpless than a two day old puppy? Thank you again!"
Miss Ruth Addinell BVSc MRCVS
Gordon Aitken BVM&S,CertVR,MRCVS
Ross M Allan BVMS MRCVS
Jenny Allen MA VetMB MRCVS
Kirsten Allen BSc, BA, VetMB MRCVS
Kerry Allison BVetMed MRCVS, Shropshire
Richard Allport BVetMed, VetMFHom, MRCVS
The Natural Medicine Centre
"I'd like my full support for the anti docking campaign to be put on record."
Stuart Altoft BVetMed, MRCVS
Katherine Alvis BVetMed MRCVS
Ian Anderson BVM&S MRCVS
Davina Anderson
MA VetMB PhD SAS(Soft Tissue) DipECVS MRCVS
Dr T.J. Anderson, BVM&S, MVM, PhD, MRCVS, DSAO, DipECVN, ILTM,
Head of the Division of Companion Animal Sciences,Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Neurology, University of Glasgow Veterinary School.
Geoff Appleton, BVMS, MRCVS. Kirkliston, West Lothian.
Elizabeth Arnold (ne Mitchell) MA, Vet MB (2000)
Yorram Ariel BVSc MRCVS
Catharina Arthurs BSc, DVM, MRCVS
Gareth Arthurs MA, VetMB, CertVR, CertSAS, MRCVS
Stephen Arundell BVSc MRCVS
Penny Ash B.Vet.Med, MRCVS
"Please add me to your list of vets strongly opposed to tail docking. After
many frustrating years let us hope that this campaign is successful."
Richard Aspinall BVSc CVR MRCVS
Vicky Aspinall BVSc MRCVS
"We are a busy 5 man small animal practice. We still see a lot of puppies for 1st vax that have been docked by the breeders with no veterinary input. This whole practice needs to be banned and the hypocrisy of prophylactic amputation to prevent future damage laid to rest. We amputate the occasional tail because of trauma and it is often breeds that have never been docked (ie labradors and greyhounds)!"
Eleanor Atkinson BVSc MRCVS Bristol 1999
Louise Atkinson, BVSc , Tawe Vets, Swansea.
Martin Atkinson BVSc MRCVS
St Martins Veterinary Clinic, West Drayton, Middx
"I wish to make my support known for the RSPCA's policy on enforcement of a total ban of the docking of dog's tails for non-therapeutic purposes."
Chris Aylott BVMS MRCVS
Louise Ayre BVSc BSc MRCVS, Chief Veterinary Surgeon, Blue Cross Animal Hospital, Grimsby
Aiz Baig, BVSc, MRCVS
Sarah Batchelor BVSc MRCVS
Fern Grove Surgery, University of Liverpool.
Nick Bacon MA VetMB CertVR CertSAS DipECVS MRCVS
Heather Bacon Bsc BVSc MRCVS
Kate Baensch BVSc
Paula Bailey BSc BVSc MRCVS
K.M.Barcham BVSc MRCVS
Grahame D. Baker.
"Please record my objection. Tail docking is banned as a barbaric practice here in Australia. I consider it mutilation for fashions sake & have refused to do it or entertain clients who request it for 35 years. I practice to help patients to the best of my ability, not deform them."
Simon J Baker MA VetMB PhD MRCVS
House and Jackson Veterinary Surgeons, Essex
Caroline R Baker MA VetMB PhD MRCVS
Good Companions Vet Clinic, Herts.
Juliette Bancroft BVSc MRCVS
Randolph Baral BVSc MACVSc
Andy Barcis BSc BVSc MRCVS
Emi Barker, BSc BVSc MRCVS
Pippa Barker B.V.Sc. MRCVS
John Barker, B.Vet.Med., M.R.C.V.S., Falmouth.
"Please include me on your list of veterinary surgeons against docking.
It is ridiculous that this matter was not resolved years ago"
Kirsty Barker BVMS
Chris Barker BVSc
Joanne Barnbrook BVM&S MRCVS
Alison Barrett BAppSc, BVSc (Hons) MRCVS
Pedro Martín Bartolomé DVM MRCVS
Daniel J. Batchelor BVSc CertSAM MRCVS
University of Liverpool Small Animal Hospital
Ian Battersby BVSc DSAM DipECVIM-CA MRCVS
Roderick Beardshall MA VetMB MRCVS
"It seems crazy that we are still needing to justify seeking a ban on the utterly pointless mutilation of puppies. I honestly believe it is no more than a misguided and unfortunately entrenched fashion. I have seen no evidence in 17 years in practice to support the assertion that it is a useful preventive procedure. I believe that it causes a lot of harm by removing one of a dog's main means of expressing itself. This contributes to inter dog conflict and misunderstanding which is potentially life threatening in many cases as euthanasia as a result of serious behavioural problems is still far too common. I would like you to quote these views where appropriate if possible. Good luck."
Alison Beck BVSc(Hons) CertSAS DipECVS MRCVS
Royal Veterinary College
Yasemin Beckram BVSc MRCVS
Professor Peter G C Bedford. BVetMed,PhD,FRCVS,DVOphthal,DipECVO,ILTM.
Emeritus Professor of Veterinary Ophthalmology
Royal Veterinary College,London University.
Zoe Belshaw MA Vet MB MRCVS.
Mark.R.Bennett BVSc MRCVS (Liverpool 1966) Dorset.
"Please add my name to your list of veterinary surgeons against docking. I am now retired from a partnership in the Lynwood Veterinary Group but am working on and off as a locum in several practices in the area, all of whom do not practise docking."

Hazel Bentall, BVSc, MRCVS St Albans
"It's long overdue to ban non-therapeutic docking of dogs' tails."
R. Timothy Bentley BVSc MRCVS
Chris Berry BVSc MRCVS
Sorcha Berry MVB MRCVS
Mike Bevan BVSc MRCVS and Mandy Mayo BVSc MRCVS
"We would like to be added to the list. Our practice, Dimples Lane Veterinary Surgery, and our Branch, Dimples Vets at Caton Road will not carry out non theraputic docking."
Sarah Bignell BVetMed, MRCVS
JAnders Blaabjerg, MRCVS
Dr Laura Blackwood, BVMS PhD MVM Cert VR Dip ECVIM-CA (Onc) MRCVS, RCVS Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Oncology, European Specialist in Small Animal Oncology
orunn Blackmore B Vet Med MRCVS
Christopher Alan Blackmore B Vet Med MRCVS
Stephen Blakeway BA VetMB MSc MRCVS East Lothian
Jon Bowen BVetMed MRCVS East Sussex
John Bower BVSc MRCVS
Trustee - British Veterinary Association Animal Welfare Foundation Plymouth
"None of our twelve vets in our practice have docked any puppies tails for over 12 years now as we firmly believe it is unnecessary and cruel. The tails are there for a purpose - communication and balance specifically - and rather than people having the choice to amputate them, the dogs should have the choice to keep them!
Nick Bell MA VetMB MRCVS
Research associate (University of Bristol), practitioner (Dorset/Hampshire) & Trustee of Worldwide Veterinary Services
Gordon Maclean BVMS MRCVS
Christine Hendry BVMS MRCVS
Lesley Henderson BVMS MRCVS
Graham Bilbrough
Senior Anaesthetist
The Queen's Veterinary School Hospital
University of Cambridge
Leonard Black PhD, DVSc, FRCVS
"I am strongly averse to tail docking for non-therapeutic purposes in dogs.
I mentioned this in a paper published in 1967*, which won the William Hunting Medal as the best Vet. Rec. article of the year."
*The use of tail vertebrae in the treatment of non-union fracture in the dog (1967) Vet. Rec. 80, 198-199.
Jorunn Blackmore B Vet Med MRCVS
Christopher Alan Blackmore B Vet Med MRCVS
Bernard de Bleser DVM(Hons), DTVM, DipAgrDev, DipStat, MRCVS.
Royal Veterinary College
Eilis Boland MRCVS
Helen Bond, BVM&S, MRCVS
Nathaniel Bond, BVM&S,MRCVS.
"Docking caused unnecessary suffering, which is cruelty."
Steve Bonthorne BVSc, MRCVS
Giovanni Borla VO - DARD
"In my opinion docking of dogs tails not only causes unnecessary
suffering to defenceless pups but also, for the rest of its life, the
dog is at a disadvantage without a tail as its tail is used for
communication and balance. Therefore I really would like to have the ban of docking of dogs tails included in the new welfare bill."

Mark Bowen BVetMed CertVA CertEM(IntMed) MRCVS,
Rachel Bowen BVetMed (Hons) MRCVS,
Caroline Bower BVM&S MRCVS.
Rachel Bowron BVSc MRCVS
Susan Boyd BVSc CertSAM MACVSc DACVP MRCVS
Clinical pathologist, Axiom Veterinary Laboratories Ltd
Tim Bradbury BVM&S CertVC MRCVS
Nigel Bradfield BVSc MRCVS
Katriona Bradley BVMS, MRCVS.
"I am strongly against the non therapeutic docking of dog's tails. I practise in Hong Kong where it is still commonly done - and often compare it to the binding of girls feet in China 100 years ago, also a cruel and unnecessary social procedure."
Michael Bradley BVMS MRCVS
Edward Branson BSc MSc BVet Med MRCVS
Jonathan Bray MVSc CertSAS MACVSc MRCVS DECVS
RCVS and European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery
Michael W N Bready MVB MRCVS
Alex Briault M.Sc., B.V.Sc., M.R.C.V.S.
"Having qualified from Liverpool University in 1987 it is sickening that 18 years later EVERY DAY I am at work people bring in pups which have been docked and almost WITHOUT EXCEPTION they tell me they would have preferred a dog with a tail, but the breeder did not offer them the choice. Well done and good luck."
Vicky Bridges, BVSc MRCVS
Jackie Bale BVSc MRCVS
Ashley Bramich MA, VetMB, MRCVS
Stamford, Lincolnshire
Lisa Brewster BSc BVSc MRCVS
Steve Bright BVMS CertSAS MRCVS
Small Animal Hospital University of Liverpool
Fraser Broadfoot BVetMed GPCert(SAP) MRCVS
(Dr) Harriet W Brooks, BVetMed, PhD, MRCVS
Pathologist, Royal Veterinary College.
" I should like to register my strong opposition to non-therapeutic docking of dog's tails. I admit to having carried out docking, reluctantly, as a young graduate in practice. This was done under pressure from clients who had puppies to sell, and who covertly threatened to do it themselves if I refused.
I am glad that young vets these days should not have such pressure put upon them, but still feel that there is much to be done to educate the layman about the "acceptable" appearance of many breeds.
I fixed a lot of dog's legs whilst in practice, noone has ever advocated docking puppies legs to prevent damage in later life. Similarly, a frequent repair in working dogs seemed to be stitching flank folds of dogs that had not quite cleared a wire fence. We accept this sort of repair, why should we make the excuse that we cannot accept repairing the occasionally damaged dogs tail?"
Andrea Brodie. Vet Surg Han, MRCVS, Cert ECFVG AVMA
Cate Brothwell BVSc MRCVS
P.R. Brown B.Vet.Med. M.R.C.V.S.
Andrew J Brown MA VetMB MRCVS
Matthew Ryan University of Pennsylvania
Dr Clare Bryant BSc, BVetMed, PhD, MRCVS, Dip ECVPT
Senior Lecturer in Clinical Pharmacology,
Centre for Veterinary Science,
Department of Veterinary Medicine,
University of Cambridge
Suzanne Buckley MVB MRCVS,
Simon Burgess BVetMed MRCVS
Rory Burke BVetMed CertSAS MRCVS
Jacqueline Burt BVSc MRCVS,
Andy Cage BVM&S MRCVS
Elizabeth Cameron BVM&S MSc MRCVS
Mrs Alex Campbell (nee Prime). BSc BVSc MRCVS..
"I have never docked and never will. My Hungarian Vizsla has a fantastic full length tail, so i definitely practice what i preach. I just hope the RCVS will find its teeth and root out those of the profession who continue to perform this barbaric act."
Emma Campbell BVM&S, MRCVS
Jeremy Campbell BVSc MRCVS
Bruce D. Campbell BVM&S MRCVS
Anna H Carey BVSc MRCVS
Mark Carpenter BVetMed (197, VetMFHom, MRCVS.
Harry Carslake MA Vet MB MRCVS
Massey University, New Zealand
Sherry Carlisle BVM&S MRCVS
Iain C. Carpenter M.A.,Vet.M.B., M.R.C.V.S.
"As the proud owner of an undocked Welsh Springer I would like to add my name to your list of supporters."
S E Cheetham M.A. Vet.M.B.,M.R.C.V.S.
Sarah Clancy. I graduated as a vet in June in Dublin and am against tail docking
Carole J Clarke MRCVS
"We also have 8 Veterinary Nurses at the hospital who support the banning of docking."
David D Clarke MRCVS
Jayne Clark BSc (Hons) BVSC MRCVS
Naomi Cambridge BVSc BSc MRCVS
Small Animal Studies University of Liverpool
Margaret J Cameron BVSc MRCVS CertVetAc.
Paloma Diaz Carretero MRCVS
Susan Carter BVSc.,MRCVS
Lisette Cartier van Dissel, DVM, MRCVS,
Rachel Cavanagh MRCVS
Peter Chapman BVetMed DECVIM-CA MRCVS
Lecturer in Internal Medicine
School of Veterinary Medicine
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia
USA
"I am currently working in a country where, in addition to tail- docking, many veterinarians routinely perform barbaric mutilations such as de-clawing and ear-cropping. The acceptance of these procedures disappoints me and I am delighted to see so many UK veterinarians are taking a more principled stance. I would like to add my unreserved support to this campaign."
David Cassells BVSC MRCVS
Tim Chapman MA VetMB MRCVS
Janet Chapman BVSc MRCVS
" I am against docking of puppies tails for cosmetic reasons.
The procedure is barbaric and painful. It should have been banned long ago.
Please add my name to your campaign."
David B Church
Professor of Small Animal Studies
Head, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
The Royal Veterinary College
Stephen Clancy MVB MRCVS
Dr Sandy Clark, BVMS, PhD, MRCVS, CertSHP
"I have never seen in 35 years of veterinary life the logic in
removing a perfectly healthy part of certain breeds of dogs. The practice should be destined to history similarly to docking horses."
Ben Clarke BSc (Hons) BVSc MRCVS
Michael John Clarkson PhD, BSc, DVSc, DSHP, MRCVS
I would like to support your campaign for a ban on non-therapeutic docking of dogs' tails. I was on the Royal College Council and a member of the BVA Ethics Committee and always supported the numerous attempts to ban this practice.
Victoria Clayton BVetMed MRCVS
Helen Clyne, B.V.Sc [Hons], MACVS - Melbourne, Australia
"Please add me to you list of vets who support the banning of tail docking of dogs. It is unbelievable that this cruel, barbaric and inhumane practice still continues in the 21st century. If it had never been done before and someone tried to introduce it an animal ethics committee would laugh it out of the room in under 2 seconds. The overwheliming majority of the public support the banning of this ridiculous practice so it is only a matter of time before it becomes illegal in the UK as it already is in so many other countries. I just hope that when this happens it also becomes illegal to sell a puppy with a docked tail as this will add further support to wiping out the practice forever."
Jane Coatesworth M.A., Vet. M.B., Cert.V.D., M.R.C.V.S
Gail Cochrane BVMS MRCVS a 1988 Glasgow Graduate.
"I'm lucky to say that I have never had to perform a 'docking' procedure on any pups and will never do so. Please add my name to the 'Vets against Docking' list."
Claire Cole BA
Sarah Colegrave MRCVS
Ros Coles, M.R.C.V.S., BVSci
Victoria Coit, BVMS
Joanna Constable.
"I am a final year veterinary student at Cambridge University, and I am in support of banning all non-therapuetic tail docking of dogs - it's a real shame that a docked dog won Crufts this year!"
George .M. Cooper BVetMed MRCVS.
"I have steadfastly refused to dock the tails of any puppies for the last 28 years, and am impressed that, at last (and probably a little astounded too) the BVA has taken an active initiative to co-ordinate some action. Let this just be the start of proactive, assertive leadership, with no fear of been seen and being counted on behalf of the membership. Well done."
Michelle Cook BSc(Hons) DVM MRCVS
"It's the 21st Century where unnecessary mutilation should not occur."
Dr Sandra A. Corr, BVMS, CertSAS, DipECVS, PhD, MRCVS
European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery
Lecturer in Small Animal Surgery (Orthopaedics)
Royal Veterinary College.
"I am happy to support the case for a ban against non-therapeutic docking of dog's tails."
Emma Cosens BVSc MRCVS,
Susie Coughlan BVSc PhD MRCVS
Margaret Costello MVB DVR DipECVDI MRCVS
Gwen Covey-Crump BVetMed CertVA MRCVS
Adam J Coulson BVMS CertVR MRCVS
The Veterinary Hospital Group, Plymouth
"I haven't docked a puppy's tail for many years and see no need so to do. Breeders say that they cannot sell puppies with tails but most of my clients would rather have puppies with tails, but can't find them. It's time to change.
Penelope Courtney BVSc MRCVS
Mr G A Cowap BVSc MRCVS
Hilary Cowley BVSc MRCVS,
"Docking ia an innapropriate and unecessary mutilation."
Rachel Cox MA Vet MB MRCVS.
Julian Cox BVetMed.,MRCVS
Victoria Craighead BVMS MRCVS
Sheila Cranna BVMS, MRCVS
"Please add my name to your list of Vets against tail docking.There is no defence for Veterinary Surgeons who painfully mutilate animals for non-therapeutic reasons. I'm disgusted that there are Vets who still condone and participate in this shameful cruelty."
Melanie Craven BVetMed DSAM MRCVS
Tim Crawshaw BVetMed MRCVS
Penny Croson BVet Med MRCVS
David Crosse, BVSc (liverpool), MRCVS
Charles Cullen BVetMed MRCVS
Kate Cullen BVMS MRCVS
Meg Curnick BVSc MRCVS
Branwen Davis BVMS MRCVS
Owen Davies MA VetMB MRCVS
This cruel and pointless practice needs to end.
Jude Dawson BVSc MRCVS.
Niamh McDermott MVB MRCVS
Black and Partners, Dudley, West Midlands
"All of the vets and nurses at our 12man practice, with 20 nurses, are fully behind the ban.. Good luck!!"
Melanie Jo Dobromylskyj BSc (Hons) BVSc MRCVS
Erin Down BVSc MRCVS
M V Dale MA VetMB MRCVS CertVetAc. Suffolk.
"Please add me to your list. It is a sad reflection on the human race that we are prepared to mutilate another species for nothing more than whimsical fancy. I am astonished that the Kennel Club is so impotent in supporting this ban. It will become law eventually."
John Robert Dalton BVMS MRCVS
Judith Dalzell MVB MRCVS
Melanie David BVSc MRCVS
Laura Davidson B.VetMed MRCVS
Dr J.V. Davies BVetMed PhD MRCVS DVR DipECVS DipECVDI
RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging
RCVS Specialist in Small Animal Surgery
European veterinary Specialist in Diagnostic |Imaging
Alex Dawson BVSc MRCVS
I wholeheartedly support a total ban on the non-therapeutic amputation of tails. "Because it's traditional" has never been an acceptable argument to support the continuation of any practice, let alone one as barbaric and pointless as this one. None of the other arguments I have heard in favour of docking are justifiable.
In my experience, almost all owners of new puppies are either unaware that their pets should have had longer tails, or have been convinced by the breeders that there are valid medical reasons for docking. They are generally horrified to learn that the docking has probably been carried out by the breeder, with no anaesthetic or pain relief, and that I can provide them with no medical reason why this practice continues.
I have had two Jack Russell Terriers now, both unfortunately docked (as both were rescue dogs), and I am convinced that their lack of full tails seriously hampers their communcation with other dogs. One of these dogs also had problems with tail irritation (totally unrelated to anal gland or parasite problems) and I suspect this is as a result of his being docked. We must make sure that this cruel, outdated practice is ended.
Ruth Dennis MA,VetMB,DVR,DipECVDI,MRCVS
Tania Dennison BSc BVMS MRCVS
Mrs Kirsty Dewar BVM&S MRCVS
Petro Dobromylskyj. BSc BVetMed DVA DiplECVA MRCVS
Sue Devereux BA BVSc MRCVS
Simon Doherty BVMS MRCVS
Ivan Doran. BVSc Cert SAS MRCVS.
Andy Downing BVetMed MRCVS
Helen Doyle BVM&S MRCVS
Andrew Draper BVMS MRCVS
Annette Duffy MVB MRCVS
Alexandra Dugdale MA, VetMB, DVA, DiplECVA, MRCVS
Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Anaesthesia
Senior Clinical Tutor
Pauline J Dunlop BVMS, PhD
Katie Dunn MA VetMB CVR CSAM MRCVS
Jane Dunnett BVMS (Glasgow 1994) MRCVS
Ellen Eaves BSc BVSc MRCVS
Shona Emery BVMS MRCVS
Olle Eriksson. Swedish Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
DVM Mariestad, Sweden Mariestad
" Nontherapeutic docking was banned in Sweden more than 15 years ago and it is accepted by the Swedish kennelclub and the overwhelming majority of breeders."
Caroline Evans BVSc MRCVS
"Please add my name to your list of Vets against docking. I have been qualified for nearly 25 years and spent most of that time working in primarily small animal practice in rural areas. In that time I can honestly not recall a significant tail injury in any working dog of an undocked breed (with the exception of one collie which caught its tail in a tractor, without a guard ), but have seen numerous pups with tail end trauma + discomfort following poor docking technique, rarely veterinary performed. This ban is long overdue, docking is in my mind purely cosmetic ,and unnecessary mutilation.
Mark Evans BVSc MRCVS
Hannah Ferguson BVSc MRCVS
Derek Flaherty BVMS, DVA, DipECVA, MRCA, MRCVS, RCVS
European Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia, University of Glasgow.
Barrie Fleming BVMS MRCVS
Senior Veterinary Adviser
"I have never believed in, nor participated in, this barbaric act. All the arguments for tail docking simply do not wash. Removal of an appendage in-case it gets injured does not make sense - surely that argument would stand for legs, necks, ears etc which I have seen injured more frequently than tails - why not simply remove these post birth to prevent problems!?"
Lynne Faulconbridge, B.V.M.S. (Hons), Ph.D.,
John Foord BSc BVSc MRCVS
Having early in my career been forced into a position to dock puppies tails I have to say it is one of the most barbaric things I have ever seen. I wholeheartedly add my name to this list. Keep up the fight."
Neil Forbes BVetMed DipECAMS M.R.C.V.S.
RCVS Specialist Zoo Animal and Wildlife Medicine
Liz Forbes BVetMed, MRCVS
Yaiza Forcada DVM MRCVS
Corrado Fornengo MRCVS
Faye Forsythe MA VetMB MRCVS,
Sophie Forster BVMS MRCVS
Chris Franklin BVSc Cert SAS MRCVS
Alistair Freeman BVM&S PhD CertSAS MRCVS
Lecturer in Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery
Small Animal Hospital
University of Liverpool
Mr Malcolm Gale, BVSc, MRCVS (retired)
"Please add my name to the list of veterinary surgeons against docking - I am now retired but am appalled that the law has failed to stop this mutilation."
Luke Gamble BVSc MRCVS,
Sarah George BVSc MRCVS
Alex German BVSc(Hons) PhD CertSAM DipECVIM-CA MRCVS
Senior Lecturer in Small Animal Medicine
University of Liverpool.
Allison German BVSc MSc PhD MRCVS
Divs Medical Microbiology & Neurological Sciences
University of Liverpool
Helen Gething BVetMed, MRCVS
Chris Gibbs MA, VetMB, MRCVS
Maria Goddard BVSc MRCVS
Sarah Gordon BVMS MRCVS
Ian M Gill BVM&S CertSHP MRCVS
David Godfrey B.Vet.Med. CertSAD. CertSAM. DipABVP. MRCVS
Rosie Godfrey BVetMed MRCVS
Steven Oliver Goldie BVSc, MRCVS
Dorette Goldie BVSc, MRCVS
Claire Goodear BVetMed MRCVS
Steven Goodear BVSc MRCVS
Jess Gower MA VetMB Cert SAS MRCVS
Paul Grant MVB, MRCVS.
"Qualified in 1987 and been in Kent, more or less, ever since.Surely inflicting pain is the opposite to being a vet! All my clients seem to agree."
Carol Gray (BVMS 1982)
Richard Green BVSc MRCVS
George R. Grieve BVM&S MRCVS RDVC 1992
Senior Veterinary Surgeon, Edinburgh PDSA Pet Aid Hospital.
"I have never seen a tail injury in a working dog in fourteen years of small animal practice. We must work together and canvass the Kennel Club to stop this barbaric practice.
Richard Grubb MRCVS
Rebecca East MA VetMB MRCVS
Jane Eastwood MA VetMB DVR DSAM MRCVS
RCVS Specialist in Small Animal Medicine
Lecturer in Small Animal Medicine
Royal Veterinary College
‘Every day, Maddie our English Springer Spaniel is trying to educate the public about what a proper tail should look like ie it should be long and it should wag constantly!’
Jonathan Elliott MA VetMB PhD MRCVS Dip ECVPT
Clive M. Elwood MA VetMB MSc PhD CertSAC MRCVS DipACVIM DipECVIM RCVS and European Specialist in Small Animal Medicine
Sinead Ennis MVB, MRCVS
Audrey Fearn BVMS MRCVS Edinburgh
Helen Errington BVMS MRCVS VLA Penrith
Isabel Evans BVMS MRCVS
Sian Evans BVM&S, MRCVS Wales
Helen Fines BVSc MRCVS
Nicola Finn BVSc MRCVS
Jayne Fisher, BVM&S, MRCVS
Tom Forsyth BVSc MRCVS
Mrs E.Wanda Foulkes MA, VETMB, MRCVS
"Please include my name on the list of vets that support a total ban on tail docking. I firmly believe that dog's need their tails for communication and do not need persistent neuritis caused by tail docking."
Ed Friend BVetMed CertSAS DECVS MRCVS
European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery
Helen Fryer, BVSc, Cert VD, MRCVS
Kate Funnell BVSc MRCVS. Surrey.
Isuru Gajanayake BVSc CertSAM MRCVS.
Royal Veterinary College.
Catharine Gale, MAVetMB MRCVS
Barbara Gallagher MVB MRCVS.
Shevaun Gallwey, MVB (1994) MRCVS
Cordelia Gamble MA (Hons) VetMB MRCVS
Peter Gard, BVetMed, MRCVS
"Please include me on the list as opposed to the unnecessary amputation of tails."
Claire Gardner BVSc. MRCVS Bilton Veterinary Centre
"As an owner of an undocked tail, wagging Jack Russell I am horrified that people still consider it acceptable to remove tails "
Andrew Gardiner BVM&S CertSAS MSc MRCVS Edinburgh
"I am against removing the healthy tails from a great many puppies in order to prevent perfectly treatable tail injury occurring in a small minority of those same dogs when adult. Owners of sporting dogs whose animals' tails are injured should be expected to fulfil the same basic care and management routines required of ordinary pet owners. If, for whatever reason, they cannot or will not cope with the care of such simple injuries as tail damage in their animals, then they should not be keeping or using dogs in the first place. Neglected injury, lack of treatment or too early return to work which compromises welfare in working dogs should be a matter for animal protection agencies, just as it is with ordinary pet owners."
Inge Geens MRCVS Cert SAD
Rosemary Gibson B.Vet Med BSc (Hons) MRCVS
"I am a veterinary surgeon working in the government sector in Northern Ireland in the Department of Agriculture, Dundonald House, Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast. I am strongly opposed to tail docking for non-therapeutic reasons. Dog breeders and owners need to admit that this is a cruel and totally unnecessary practice that is fuelled totally by commercial greed and ridiculous vanity (the "breed standard"). And they call themselves dog-lovers?"
Alistair Gibson MVB MRCVS
Hilary Glasgow BVMS MRCVS
Judith Glushanok BVSc MRCVS. Bristol
Philip Goddard BVetMed, MBA, MRCVS
Reg Godwin BVSc MRCVS
Robert Goggs BVSc MRCVS
Senior Clinical Training Scholar in Emergency and Critical Care, Royal Veterinary College
Mark Goodfellow MA VetMB CertVR CertSAM MRCVS
Helen Pollok Good BVM&S MRCVS
Mark M Goodman BVM&S MRCVS.
Bob Gore , BVSC MRCVS.
C N Gorman, BVSc, MRCVS. Newbury, Berkshire.
Sara Gould BVetMed DSAM MRCVS
RCVS Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Medicine
Caroline Goulton BVetMed MRCVS
I would like to add my support to the petition for a total ban on docking of dog's tails except for therapeutic reasons. I feel very strongly about the ban and have never docked a tail unnecessarily, my practice does not condone docking of puppies and we have lost clients over the issue. Thank you.
Adam Gow B.V.M & S. CertSAM MRCVS
Manus Graham MVB, MPhil, MRCVS.
Clinical Division, Moredun Research Institute.
" I would like to add my name to those of other vets who are calling for a total ban on the docking of pups tails. My position on the matter is based on 12 years in small-animal practice (where in the un-enlightened Eighties I docked many a pups tail), 3 years post-graduate research into the pain associated with tail-docking in lambs (which is a separate issue I hasten to add), basic logic and a healthy contempt for the “Caution, Show Dogs in transit” brigade.

If it subsequently transpires that real working (gun) dogs do indeed regularly suffer traumatic damage to their tails in thick cover then the matter can be revisited and a derogation made based on hard rather than anecdotal evidence. There are plenty of precedents for amendments to legislation.
Emma Lauren Grant MA(cantab), VetMB, MRCVS
Dr Sue Gregory BVetMed, PhD, DVR, DSAS (soft tissue), MRCVS RCVS Recognised Specialist in Small Animal Soft Tissue Surgery.
Senior Lecturer in Small Animal Surgery, RVC.
"Apart from the fact that tail docking is completely unnecessary, unless a ban is enforced we will never be able to determine its significance as a suspected factor in the aetiology of urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence."
James Grierson BVetMed CertVR CertSAS MRCVS
Lecturer in Small Animal Surgery
Queen Mother Hospital for Animals
Royal Veterinary College
David Grant MBE B.vet.Med. FRCVS Harmsworth Hospital Director
D.N. Griffiths BVSc MRCVS.
"Having qualified some 21 years ago I am delighted , to say the least, to be added to your signature campaign condemning the 'docking' of dogs tails. With great enthusiasm I am forwarding this to all veterinary colleagues. Thank you in anticipation of common sense prevailing."
Emma Grogono BA VetMB MRCVS
Wendy Stickells BVetMed MRCVS
RSPCA Hospital, Putney.
"Please add us to your list of vets who support a total ban against the docking of all dogs tails, regardless of breed. Thank you for being so pro-active in organising vets into action. We are spreading the word at work to all vets and vets nurses."
Miss H C Groves-de-Milleret BVM&S MRCVS
Docking of a dog's tail, except when there is a clear clinical justification, can only be described as a mutilation in the
same league as cosmetic ear cropping. It is unacceptable in today's society that such a procedure may be carried out for cosmetic reasons or for spurious practical ones.
As a veterinarian, I personally only carry out docking of a dog's tail on clinical grounds. There are good welfare and clinical arguments against routine tail docking. As the owner of a rescue Doberman with a poorly docked tail I daily see the health and behavioural effects of this legacy. I
have yet to hear an argument for docking that either cannot easily be countered or does not apply equally to traditionally undocked breeds such as Dalmatians or Great Danes. The Animal Welfare Bill should contain provisions that clearly ban this procedure unless essential for therapeutic
purposes and avoid the obvious loopholes that will otherwise exist.
Hanne Claudi Gundersen BVetMed MRCVS
Sondhya Gupta BA VetMB MRCVS
David Hadrill BVSc MSc MRCVS
"Since qualifying as a vet in 1980 I have consistently refused to dock puppies’ tails, which I consider to be an unnecessary mutilation."
EJ Hall, MA, VetMB, PhD, DECVIM-CA, MRCVS
Professor of Small Animal Internal Medicine
Division of Companion Animal Studies,
Dept. Clinical Veterinary Science,
University of Bristol.
GA Hall BVSc PhD FRCPath, MRCVS
DESMOND ROBERT HAMILTON BVMS MRCVS
Anna Hammond BVM&S Cert EM(Int Med) MRCVS
Philip Hanlon
Synnøve Haagenrud BVSc MRCVS"
Please add my name to the list of vets against docking. I now work in a country where tail docking has been banned since 1988, and the national kennel club does not allow docked dogs in the show ring. We see very little of the tail problems that the opposers of a docking ban in the UK are arguing will become such major issues if this mutilation is not allowed to continue! There may be a slightly higher incidence of congenital tail kinks in puppies from breeds where the breeding program has to rely on import of breeding stock from countries where docking still continues; this is obviously due to the fact that this is a trait that no-one has been able to see, and the breeding stock has therefore not been selected against this defect. Naturally such, usually minor, kinks are normally not a welfare problem for the individual puppies, and if all countries would stop docking, the incidence of this defect should fall after some generations of selective breeding. There are no data supporting arguments that dogs of previously docked breeds are more prone to acquired tail defects/injuries compared to other breeds – this also fits well with what myself and my colleagues experience in our daily practice. Dogs are born with tails for a reason – take away the tail, and you take away an important factor in communicating normally with other dogs!
Miss V Hall BVSc MRCVS
Dean Halligan BVSc MRCVS
Bridgefield Veterinary Surgery,Wem, Shropshire.
"Completey unnecessary, and about time something positive was done!"
Olivia Halligan BVSc MRCVS
Mr. Barri Hamid BVSc, MSc, MRCVS
Roger Hancock BA Vet MB Cert WEL MRCVS
Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA)
"I would like to register my firm opposition to the non-therapeutic docking of puppies. I qualified as a veterinarian in 1980 and hold the RCVS certificate in
animal welfare science and law. I have considered the available literature in detail. There available evidence does not indicate that docking "prevents injury" but there is strong evidence (clinical, pathological and ethological ) that it can cause both short term and long term suffering.My own clinical experience of handling docked animals is that a pain response can frequently be elicited by pressure on the healed stump of a docked tail. Neuromata are known to be a frequent sequel to docking injuries in other species. In pigs, there is that any "protective" effect could simply be due to guarding of a chronically painful lesion. I accept that tails can become injured when working but so can ears, eyes,
claws and footpads. No case is made for removing these or other vulnerable appendages. My own experience with my own undocked terrier is that she works well in the heaviest undergrowth and has never suffered a tail injury. On the basis of these points, my ethical position as a veterinarian and utilitarian is that non-therapeutic docking cannot be justified and should be banned."
Tom Harcourt-Brown MA VetMB MRCVS
" I would be very grateful if you would add my name to your list. I have been opposed to docking since I qualified and actively tried to bring prosecutions against the breeders doing it, and RCVS actions against the vets who will carry it out (both on their clients and, more annoyingly, on mine). "
Frances Harcourt-Brown BVSc MRCVS
" I do hope now at long last that this unnecessary mutilation will be banned permanently and that the legislation is sufficiently robust to make the ban
effective."
Ben Hardy BVM&S MBA MPhil MRCVS. University of Cambridge.
Peter Harlow
Claire Harris BVet Med MRCVS
Gareth Harries BVMS CertSAS MRCVS
Matthew Harris BVSc CertVDI MRCVS
Craig Harrison BVM&S, CertSAD, MRCVS.
White Cross Veterinary Centre, Guiseley,Leeds.
"Please add my name and that of my practice to the list of veterinarians opposed to tail docking. Having performed this unnecessary procedure in my early days in practice, I am only too aware of the pain, distress and suffering it causes and this mutilation has been banned in our practice for many years. The procedure is abhorrent to the vast numbers of caring Vets and Veterinary Nurses in this country and, in my opinion, the only reason it persists is the short sighted obstinacy of a very few misguided individuals, including unfortunately some veterinarians, who seem to be more committed to their involvement in breed societies or blood sports than they are to the welfare of animal’s under their care."

ROBERT HARRY BVSc MRCVS
Angela Hermon BVSc MRCVS
Mrs Emma J Harrop MA VetMB MRCVS
Mrs Vivien Hartley Ryan. BVSc(Hons) BSc(Hons) MRCVS
Claudia Hartley BVSc CertVOphthal MRCVS
Monika Hartmann, Mag.Vet.Med, MRCVS
Pia Hayat, BVSc Hons, MRCVS
Ben Hynes MA VetMB CertVC MRCVS
Nicolette Hayward BVM&S DVR DipECVDI MRCVS
European Specialist in Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging
Peter Heather, BVSc MRCVS
Christine Heinrich DVOphthal DipECVO MRCVS
Willows Referral Service, Solihull, West Midlands
"I firmly oppose the docking of dogs' tails and I am forever disheartened when litters of docked puppies are presented for testing under the BVA/KC/ISDS eye scheme!"
Julian Henderson MRCVS, BSc, BVM&S
Dr Anke Hendricks DrMedVet CertVD DipECVD MRCVS
Dept. Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College.
Claire Hendry BVM&S, MRCVS
Simone Herbert BVSc, MRCVS
Kate Higgins BVetMed MRCVS
Margaret Higgins, BVMS, MRCVS.
Paul Higgs
John M Hill MVB MRCVS
Junior Vice President SPVS
"Docking of dogs' tails should have been banned at the same time it was banned in horses in the late nineteenth century. In the twenty-first century, it is long overdue to end this barbaric mutilation."
Richard Hill man BVSc CertVA
Richard Hillam BVSc PhD CertVR MRCVS Cheltenham. "
I am strongly opposed to non-therapeutic tail docking; a mutilation performed in the name of 'breed standards'."
John F.R.Hird MA BVSc DVA DiplECVA MRCA MRCVS
Chris Hoare MRCVS.
Will Hodge BVSc MRCVS
David Hodges MA, MBA,Vet MB, MRCVS.
Kim Holmes BSc(Hons) BVM&S MSc MRCVS
"I work at Glassbrook Vets4Pets, Leyland, which incidently, were one of the first practices against docking, years before I graduated."
Elaine Holt, DVM, Diplomate ACVO, MRCVS Lecturer,
The Royal Veterinary College
Sonya Holtby BVet Med MRCVS
Nick Honhold BVSc MSc PhD DipECVPH MRCVS. Belfast.
Michelle Honnor BSc VetMB MRCVS
Isobel Hood, BA
David W Hopper BVM&S MRCVS
As a OESD Rescue organiser said to me ' an OESD without a tail is like a ship without a rudder' watching a docked OESD trying to run is a travesty compared with one running with a tail - poetry in motion."
Karen Horne MA VetMB MRVCS
Linda Horn BVMS, Dip AS (CABC),MRCVS
Eleanor Hughes BSc PhD MVB MRCVS
Alasdair Hotston Moore
MA VetMB CertSAC CertVR CertSAS MRCVS
Karen Humm MA VetMB CertVA MRCVS
James Hunt BVetMed CertVA MRCVS."
Simon Hurst BVetMed MRCVS
Mark Hurst BVetMed Cert VR Cert SAS MRCVS
Alan Hurst BVM&S, MRCVS
Veterinary Officer, State Veterinary Service.
"I very strongly support your campaign for a complete ban on the non-therapeutic docking of dog's tails. Twelve years in small animal practice convinced me that this practice is unnecessary, cruel and based on nothing more than the vanity of certain sections of the dog-owning community."
Phil Hyde. Director of Valley Vets Ltd & Veterinary Emergency Treatment Services Ltd.
"This is long overdue. After 28 years in practice, I have yet to hear a rational argument for the docking of dogs tails. It has been done purely for the vanity of man, and is nothing to do with the welfare of animals. Well done!"
Congratulations on highlighting this issue. We'd like to add all of the vets from Ruddington & East Leake Veterinary Centres to your list, we do not perform any routine docking and actively advise clients against it when asked. We are:
Hugh McLachlan, Jenny Rees and Heather Imrie, all BVMS, MRCVS
Tim Ingham BSc(Hons) BVSc MRCVS
Babs Ingram BVetMed MRCVS
Matthew Ingram BVetMed CertSAS MRCVS
Johnny Irish MA VetMB MRCVS
Bev Irving Qualified London June 1990 B Vet Med MRCVS
David J Irwin MVB MRCVS
Jenny Isherwood BVetMed MRCVS
Wendy Jaques BVSc MRCVS
Dr J.A.Jagoe . MVB PhD Cert SAM, MRCVs.
Ann Louise Jagoe MVB MRCVS
"I would like to add my name to the list as I believe the procedure is cruel and completely unnecessary ,I believe an exemption for "working dogs" is a ridiculous cop out as many working dogs are GSDs and labradors but nobody is advocating docking these breeds."
Julia James MA Vet MB MRCVS
Shailen Jasani MA VetMB MRCVS (Royal Veterinary College, London).
"I would like to add my name to the list of vets against tail docking and to stress the importance of the need for a UK-wide official consensus on this issue. Furthermore, no policy is helpful unless it is enforced and I hope that some less than scrupulous breeders, along with some members of our profession, are subjected to 'docking type' penance if they flout the policy! Also, is there a similar list for vet nurses as they are often very vociferous in such matters and the more support the better?"*
Melissa Jay BSc BVMS MRCVS
Deborah Jeffreys BVSc CertVR MRCVS
"I would like to register my support for the campaign to stop non-therapeutic docking in dogs. This mutilation is in my opinion totally unnecessary and cruel.
Miss Rosanne E. Jepson BVSc (Dist) MRCVS Royal Veterinary College
Mike Jessop BVetMed MRCVS. President Elect BSAVA.
"It is time to end this unnecessary mutilation."
Inge Johannson BVMS MRCVS
Alison Jones BVetMed MRCVS.
Rhiannon Jones MA VetMB MRCVS
Bryony Jones, BVSc, MSc, MRCVS
DEWI JONES BVMS MRCVS
"Needless mutilation of dogs for aesthetic purposes, a selfish practice, needs banning."
Emma Jones MVB MRCVS
Mark Johnston BVetMed MRCVS
" There is no logic in tail docking in dogs, docking of horses tails was banned over a century ago !"
Suzanne Johnson BVSC (Syd Uni) MRCVS
Brixton, London
"It's great to see someone organising what is a vast groundswell of opposition to docking."
Thomas Johnson MA VetMB MRCV
Carol Jones B.V.M.S M.R.C.V.S
Peter G.H. Jones, BVSc, MRCVS
Dennis Jones BVSc MRCVS
Byron Veterinary Clinic, Nottingham.
"After over 30 years as a vet, it would be a huge benefit to the victims of this procedure if it could finally be made illegal. Docking of horses was banned the year I was born – here’s hoping dogs join them before I retire."
Karen Jones, BVetMed, MSc MRCVS
Veterinary Director, SPANA (Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad)
Lorna Jordan-Owers BA(Hons) BVetMed MRCVS
Anna Judson BVSc MSc MRCVS
Leonie Julian BSc BVSc MRCVS
Amir Kashiv BA BVSc MRCVS
Robert John Kay BVetMed MRCVS
Ashley Jury BVSc MRCVS, bristol graduate 2000
"I now work in Sweden where docking of puppies tails was banned long ago.All of our breeders of which there are many, including those of usually docked breeds, cant understand why we still do it in the UK."
Miss Aarti Kathrani BVetMed (Hons) MRCVS
Junior Clinical Training Scholar, Queen Mother Hospital for Animals.
Nihal Kay DVM PhD MRCVS
Blue Cross Animal Hospital, Victoria, London
Stephanie Keele MA VetMB MRCVS
Patricia Kelly MVB, MRCVS.
David Kennedy BVMS MRCVS
James D. Kenworthy BVSc MRCVS
Rebecca Kuttel BVSc MRCVS
Mrs. Olwen M. Kerr BVM&S MRCVS
Rob Kilby BSc(hons) BVetMed MRCVS
"As a vet with an interest in behaviour therapy I find it ridiculous that people still want to remove a vital organ of balance and communication. It is laughable that some misguided individuals still think this makes a dog look better!"
Rachael Kilroy BVM&S MRCVS
Eric H F der Kinderen DVM, MRCVS
Jennifer Kinns VetMB MRCVS
Matthew J Ryan Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
"Please add my name in support of a ban on tail docking. The practice is
barbaric and against the principles of good veterinary care."
Reimi E Kino BVMS , MRCVS, Mphil
Raymond Kirke, MVB, Cert SVM, MRCVS
Divisional Veterinary Officer, DARD
Lucy Kirton BVetMed MRCVS
Petra Kördel, Tierärztin, MRCVS
Dr. Miriam Krause MRCVS
Vim Kumaratunga BVSc MRCVS, VPI Bristol
James Kyffin BVSc (Hons) MRCVS
Jane Ladlow Vet MB Cert SAS, Cert VR, DipECVS
Jonathan. D. Lamming, M.A., Vet.M.B., M.R.C.V.S. Devon.
Karin de Lange BSc DVM MRCVS
Sorrel Langley-Hobbs MA BVetMed DSAS(O) DECVS ILTM MRCVS University Surgeon, Cambridge University.
Tracy Latham MRCVS BVSc
Chris Laurence QVRM TD BVSc MRCVS
Veterinary Director. The Dogs Trust.
"Please add my name to the list. I believe there is strong scientific evidence to show that docking causes pain, deprives the dog of a means of expression, and may predispose to disease later in life. I see no justification for anything except a complete ban on all except therapeutic docking."
Samantha Lawley BVSC MRCVS
Sally Lee BVSc MRCVS
Robert Geoffrey Lee BVSc (Hons) MRCVS
Rosalind Lee BVSc MRCVS
"We would like to add our names to the list. We have kept Dobermanns for many years with tails. We have worked in rural areas for more than 30 years and have seen no evidence that the working dogs left with tails are likely to suffer injuries to their tails."
Tamsin Learoyd-Hill BVetMed MRVCS
Catherine Le Bars BVSc/ MRCVS
Maggie Leggett BVMS MRCVS and Helen Reed BVSc MRCVS
"We would both like to be added to the vets against docking list, we both find the continued practice of tail docking abhorrant."

Peter Lennox BVM&S MRCVS
" I have been qualified 8 yrs I have very rarely seen tail injuries that require amputation. I think the act of docking is barbaric and unnecessary."
Katie Lenton BVSc MRCVS
Anette Loeffler, Dr.med.vet., DVD, DipECVD, MRCVS
Dan Lewis BVSc MRCVS, Northampton
Philip Lhermette BSc CBiol MIBiol BVet Med MRCVS
" There is no logical argument to continue this completely unnecessary and cruel mutilation. Let’s see it off once and for all!"
Caroline Liardet BVMS GPCert(SAP) MRCVS.
"I am happy to add my name to something I also believe we, as a profession, should be able to stop."
Nicholas Lloyd B.V.Sc. M.R.C.V.S.
Nadine Lock BVSc Cert VA MRCVS
Katherine Locock, MRCVS BVSc
Emma Love BVMS CertVA Dipl.ECVA MRCVS
Kay Lovett BVSc MRCVS
Ron Lowe BVSc MRCVS
Claire Lowes BVSc MRCVS
"Why are so many owners still oblivious to the fact that docking is not 'normal' & not necessary?!"
Linda Lowseck BVM&S MRCVS
Dr Monica Lundervold BVSc PhD MRCVS
Alex Lyons MRCVS
Shona McMahon BSc BVMS MRCVS
Brendan M McCartan MVB M Sc MRCVS
"As an experienced veterinarian who strives to protect the welfare of all animals I strongly object to the docking of dogs tails, whether carried out under an anaesthetic or not."
Jamie McClement BVSc MRCVS, Beeches Veterinary Hospital, Slough
"There is no point to docking. I have treated many working animals, with and without tails, for wounds to the torso and legs, but never one indicating tail amputation. This procedure is far more commonly required for cats whose tails get caught in doors, and no-one is suggesting docking of kittens' tails."
Fiona McColm MRCVS BVMS
Marion McCullagh, MVB, MRCVS
Ian McDougall MRCVS BVM&S
David M. McDowell. BVMS MRCVS
" Cutting off puppies tails in case of injury in later life is illogical.Tail injuries are not a common occurance (judging by my 30 years experience in general practice) although they do occur. Broken legs are a much more common injury, but we don't suggest cutting off puppies legs in case they break them later in life!"
Dean McElfatrick, BVM&S, MRCVS, Edinburgh 1987.
"I am opposed to the non-therapeutic docking of dogs' tails. I owned a Jack Russell witha full tail, and that was "one in the eye" of the Kennel Club as far as I was concerned."
John MCGillivray BVMS MRCVS
Kate McGovern BVetMed MRCVS
Malcolm McKee BVMS MVS DSAO MACVSc MRCVS
Susanna McIntyre BVSc MRCVS
Ewan McNeill BVMS MRCVS
Brin McNeill BVMS, MRCVS
Natalie McNaught BVMS MRCVS
"I am a vet currently working in Cheltenham and I would like to be added to your list. I trained in Westeran Australia and have a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery. Australia in recent times banned all cosmetic tail docking which was a welcome change, and I would very much like to see this repeated here in the UK."
Dr David C. J. Main BVetMed PhD CertVR DWEL MRCVS
BVA Animal Welfare Foundation Lecturer in Animal Welfare
RCVS Recognised Specialist in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law
University of Bristol
"I would like to support a complete ban on all non- therapeutic docking of dogs' tails. Veterinary surgeons should act as animal advocates and a mutilation that causes pain cannot be justified for aesthetic reasons."
Brian McCartan, Qualified
Carl McAuliffe MVB MRCVS
Clinical Manager County Vets Cheshire
"Lets ban this barbarism once and for all!"
F J McKeating BVMS FRVCS
"I totally support such a ban and welcome the long overdue end of the current situation & rulings which are both anomalous and totally iniquitous!"
Terence McManus MVB MRCVS
Elaine McNamara BVMS MRCVS
Fraser J McConnell BVM&S CSAM DVR DipECVDI MRCVS
Congratulations on highlighting this issue. We'd like to add all of the vets from Ruddington & East Leake Veterinary Centres to your list, we do not perform any routine docking and actively advise clients against it when asked. We are Hugh McLachlan, Jenny Rees and Heather Imrie, all BVMS, MRCVS.
A. D. MacWhirter BSc.( Hons) BVSc.
Nick Macdonald BVetMed MVM CertSAS MRCVS
Resident in Small Animal Surgery (Orthopaedics)
Small Animal Hospital
University of Liverpool
Paul MacFarlane BVSc MRCVS
E.J.A.Macholc B.V.Sc. M.R.C.V.S.
L-J.Macholc B.V.Sc(Hons.) M.R.C.V.S
"We wish to support you in your campaign to have the non-therapeutic docking of dog's tails made illegal. As far as we are aware, the majority of veterinary surgeons will no longer dock tails for cosmetic reasons,but as you are well aware, those who continue to do so will always find a reason until the practice of cosmetic docking is made totally illegal."
Joe Mackinder BVSc MRCVS
Vivienne Mackinnon BVM&S MRCVS
"I hope that the new legislation will be enforcable so that in future ALL dogs get the chance to wag the tail they were born with."
Elspeth MacLean BVMS MRCVS. Aberdeen
Andrew Maclaughlan BVM&S(Edin) MRCVS
Gerard E MacManus MVB MRCVS
Andrew J Madel BA, VetMB, DipAH, DipTCDHE, CertSHP,HonFRCVS
Gareth Maglennon BVMS MRCVS
Paul Mahoney BVSc(Syd) DVR CertVC MRCVS
Royal Veterinary College (London)
Alistair Marks B.V.M.&S. Cert.V.R. Cert.S.A.O. M.R.C.V.S.
Charlotte Marshall BVSc MRCVS
Nick Marsh BVSc MRCVS
Kerry Marsh BVSc MRCVS
Ciki Van Loggerenberg BVSc MRCVS
"Myself, my wife and my colleague would like to be added to the list of vets against docking. It is a cruel and barbaric practice with no basis in veterinary medicine, and it is time it was finally banned. Well done for finally trying to get us off our backsides and doing something about it. We'll help any way we can."
James Y Mason BVMS MRCVS
"A few years after qualifying (over 20 years ago) my conscience stopped me docking tails. It's not the biggest welfare issue around but it is one which we can and should do something about."
Nathalie Mauroo, DVM, CertZooMed, MRCVS
Miss J Briony E Mawson b.Sc., M.A., Vet.M.B., MRCVS
Julia Mewes MA, Vet MB, MRCVS, LVI Cert. VR
Christine Middlemiss BVMS MRCVS
" Please add me to your list. As owner of a very “off road” Springer with a long, happy, waggy tail I fully support your campaign."
James Miles MRCVS
Hanne Adelholm Miles MRCVS
Kate Moore MRCVS
Judy Mosedale MRCVS
Nazim Mukadam MRCVS
Carmel T Mooney MVB MPhil PhD DECVIM-CA MRCVS
President, BSAVA
Mrs. Maeve Moorcroft MVB MRCVS
Veterinary Advisor -Rolf C. Hagen (UK) Ltd
David Moore BVetMed MRCVS
Carol Mason BVM&S MRCVS
"I would like to add support to the campaign to ban tail docking. There is no need for such mutilations. Sadly 99% of puppies of 'traditionally docked breeds' still come to the surgery with their tails mysteriously absent, often with stump infections due to their incompetently performed procedure. The general public are still mostly unaware that this should not have been done, although most would have preferred a pup with a tail to express itself.
My parents have a Standard Poodle who enjoys her long tail to the full. For 11 years so far, we have had to explain to various members of the public that she IS a poodle and not an Irish Water Spaniel just because the public are so used to this breed having only 1/3rd of what nature intended."
Mandy Mayo BVSc MRCVS and Mike Bevan BVSc MRCVS
Andy Moores BVSc DSAS(Orth) DipECVS MRCVS
Lecturer in Small Animal Orthopaedics
The Royal Veterinary College
Meleri Morgan MA VetMB MRCVS
Catherine Morganti BVSC MRCVS Cert SAM,
Senior Veterinary Surgeon, Blue Cross Animal Hospital, London
Samantha Morris BVetMed, MRCVS,
Paul Morton BVSc MRCVS
Sean Murphy, BVetMed
Andre Menache BSc(Hons) BVSc MRCVS FRSH
Scientific Consultant to Animal Aid
Ian Megahy B.V.M.S., M.R.C.V.S.
"I would urge all vets to contact their Members of Parliament to voice our fundamental concern for animal welfare and urge the complete ban of this cruel practice."
Siobhan Menzies BVM&S MRCVS LFHom[Vet] Co Down.
Mrs Julia Mewes MA, VetMB, LVI, Cert VR, MRCVS
Tim Miles B.Vet.Med.,MRCVS
Jo Malone BVMS MRCVS
Emma Milne BVSC MRCVS North Yorkshire
Founder of Vets Against Docking
Colin Mitchell BVM&S CertEP MRCVS
Hayley Mitchell BVMS MRCVS
Simon P Moat B.Vet.Med . MRCVS
Orla Moore M.V.B. MRCVS
Vikki Moran BVSc MRCVS
" No matter what argument is given for docking of tails, it always seems to come down to a cosmetic issue, and quite frankly, because it “looks” better doesn’t wash with me."
Catherine Morris BVSc BSc MRCVS.
Michelle Morters BVSc MRCVS
Trude Mostue BVSc MRCVS, Care Without Compromise ltd.
"Its time we see more action and let the public know what we feel about this issue. If UK is going to live up to its reputation for being devoted animal lovers, and particular ''a nation of dog lovers'' something have to change and someone has to take responsibility for the fact that Taildocking ,which is banned in many countries ( e.g. in Norway), is still going on in UK.
Its time for change."
Ian Mostyn BVM&S CertZooMed MRCVS
Siobhan Mullan BVMS DWEL MRCVS.
Senior Clinical Training Scholar in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law. Currently working on how to measure Quality of Life in Dogs.
"Please add me to the list! To me, tail-docking of dogs symbolises a lack of respect for the dogs own inherent value!"
Sue Murphy BVM&S MSc MRCVS
Liz Nabb BVMS MRCVS
Madeleine Neale BVetMed MRCVS
Clinical training Scholar in Organic Health and Welfare, Bristol University.
Prue Neath BSc(Hons), BVetMed, Dipl.ACVS/ECVS, MRCVSAmerican/European Specialist in Veterinary Surgery
Laura A. Neerings BVMS MRCVS
Elizabeth Newbery BSc(Hons.), M.Res.,
"Partners John Newcombe and Jennifer East wish to support your petition.
We have never docked tails in a combined total of almost 50 years practice.
We have clients of docked breeds who dont ! Those who do, we dont have!"
Tim Newton BVSc MRCVS
"Please add my name to the list of vets against cosmetic tail docking. Nothing short of a total ban will stop the process. It should also be defined in law as an act of mutilation and subject to criminal prosecution."
Emma Nicholas MA VetMB MRCVS
Nikianna Nicholas BVSc MRCVS
Claudia Niehoegen, Dr.Med.Vet, MRCVS
"Tradition is no justification - see slavery and foot-binding. Education is the key: many breeders of traditionally docked breeds worry about being left with 10 long-tailed Rottie pups, because prospective buyers don't believe they are pedigree pups."
P-J.M.Noble B.Sc., BVM&S., PhD., MRCVS
Lecturer in Internal Medicine. University of Liverpool, Small Animal Hospital.
P.R.Nolan, BVSc, MRCVS
BIRGIT NORDMANN, M.R.C.V.S
Zoe North BSc (Hons) BVM&S MRCVS.
Dr. Tim Nuttall BSc BVSc PhD CertVD CBiol MIBiol MRCVS,
Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Dermatology,
University of Liverpool Small Animal Hospital.
Sarah Nyman-Hill BVSc MRCVS
Drove Vets, Marlborough, Wiltshire
"Please add me to the list of veterinary surgeons who are against tail docking in a bid to end this non-therapeutic unnecessary mutilation. Thank you."
William G Oakes BVetMed MRCVS
Ross O'Brien BVetMed MRCVS
Brian O'Donovan MA VetMB MRCVS
John O'Flynn, MRCVS
"What a shame that a tiny minority (64 out of over 20,000 registered veterinary surgeons) continue to pander to the archaic whims of ill-informed breeders and The Kennel Club. What ever happened to their professional oath re. doing their best for the animal under their care?
But then, the average member of Vets For Docking qualified in 1950 and has clearly failed to keep up to date with the enlightened views of the 21st century.
Some members of this group do not have veterinary degrees and some have even been struck off the register for reasons including gross professional misconduct."
Kate O'Sullivan MVB MSc CertSAS MRCVS
"Until this is unreservedly outlawed, vets in practice are in the invidious position of having to refuse requests for docking from puppy owners, hopeful for good sales amongst show dog owners, upon esoteric, principled grounds. Let's remove ambiguity and woolliness and relegate this anacronistic inhumanity to the annals of history, once and for all."
Mr K A J Oliver – BVSc MRCVS.
Mrs J R Oliver – BVSc MRCVS.
Olutolani Oni MA VetMB MSc MRCVS
Elizabeth Ormerod BVMS MRCVS.
"(I am) Writing in support of a total ban on tail docking throughout the UK. I have been in companion animal practice for over 30 years during which time very few dogs have been presented with tail injuries. However, I have seen many pups suffering from tail infections and persistent pain and discomfort due to docking. "Old habits die hard" - people get entrenched in a way of behaving and thinking - and it is very difficult to engage them.This should have been resolved many years ago. Effective legislation and public education is now required."
Simon Orr BVSc DVR MRCVS
Michael Orsi BVMS MRCVS
Julia Osborn BVSc MRCVS
Angharad Owens. BVetMed MRCVS
Damian Pacini BVSc MRCVS
Chris Parratt BVSc MRCVS
Bob Partridge BVM&S MRCVS
George Pate BVM&S BSc MRCVS
Avalon Veterinary Clinic, Milngavie.
Ian Paterson BVSc, MRCVS
Jo Payne BVSc, PhD, MSc, MRCVS
Veterinary Laboratories Agency
Matthew J. Pead BVetMed PhD CertSAO ILTM MRVCS
Senior Lecturer in Surgery
Head of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery Group
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences
The Royal Veterinary College
Joanne Pearce BVSc MRCVS
Ilse Pedler MA, Vet MB Vet MFHom MRCVS.
Dr Jacques Penderis BVSc MVM PhD CertVR DipECVN MRCVS
RCVS and European Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Neurology, Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Neurology, University of Glasgow.
Andrew S. Peregrine, BVMS, PhD, DVM, DipEVPC, MRCVS
Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College,
University of Guelph, Canada.
Anna Philip BVM&S MRCVS
"I would like to add my name to the list of vets supporting your campaign. I still find it hard to believe that people cannot be prosecuted for docking tails for cosmetic purposes. We need to stand up to the Kennel Club. They hardly have the animal's best interests at heart. "
Nick Pine MA VetMB MRCVS
Roger Pinniger MRCVS
Sarah Pitt-Bailey BVM&S MRCV
Amy Pollard BVsc MRCVS
Juliet Pope BVSc CertSAS MRCVS. Bristol.
"As a lover and owner of German Short-haired (but long tailed) Pointers I abhore the practice of non-therapeutic tail docking. I lost an 11 year old dog this year with a perfect, and completely undamaged tail. I have a new puppy who has her tail, for which I travelled 600 miles and paid an extra £100 to have. Worth every penny."
Rob Pope BVetMed (Hons.) BSc(Hons.) MRCVS
"I have been against docking since witnessing it seeing practice in Gloucestershire and being fobbed off with the "If I don't do it, the breeder will" line. Until this practice becomes a punishable offence and breed standards are changed, this may well unfortunately be the case, so the focus has to be not on driving this underground, but to ensure that the law is changed and subsequently, breeders who continue this practice are prevented from owning animals for a period, plus other measures deemed necessary, as befits the crime of cruelty to animals."
Clare Povah BSc BVSc MRCVS
Roger Powell MA Vet MB MRCVS
Dr Daniel Preter, MRCVS
Ian Price. BVSc MRCVS
Simon L Priestnall BVSc BSc (Hons) MRCVS
Department of Pathology & Infectious Diseases. The Royal Veterinary College.
Joy Pritchard BVM&S CertWEL MRCVS
Head of Animal Welfare, The Brooke.
Theresa Proudfoot BVMS MRCVS
"Tail docking is more than unnecessary, it is a handicap to a dog in terms of both balance and communicating with fellow canines, as well as causing pain when performed, contrary to what the Kennel Club and others would like us to believe."
Zoe Pullen MRCVS
Stephen Putnam BVSc MRCVS.
Ann Radford B Vet Med MRCVS
Louisa Rance MA VetMB MRCVS
Carolyn Randolf MRCVS
Caroline Reay BVSc Cert VR MRCVS, Chief Veterinary Surgeon
Potts Redmond BVetMed MRCVS
" Perhaps we should have size zero dogs on the catwalk?? A ludicrous idea? Well, so is the idea that a docked dog is more aesthetically pleasing than a dog with a tail. Why aren’t working Labradors docked when spaniels are? Legs are at as much risk of injury whilst working as tails, but we don’t perform prophylactic amputation. It is time the archaic practice of docking tails stopped."
David G Reed. BVM&S MRCVS
Peter Renwick MA VetMB DVOphthal MRCVS
Jo Reynolds BVSc
"In my 10 years of working I have never docked a tail unless for therapeutic purposes. I still have many clients asking if I will dock a litter of puppies but I point out that they shouldn’t be selling to people that request this mutilation. Unfortunately there is a veterinary practice not too far away from me that is quite happy to oblige."
Iain Richards BVSc Cert VA MRCVS
Graham Richmond B.Vet.Med MRCVS
Andrew Richmond BVM&S MRCVS
Janet Ritchie B Vet Med MRCVS
Megan Roberts MRCVS
Ann Robinson BA BVSc(Hons) CertSAD PhD MRCVS
Heidi Robinson BVSc MRCVS
Bromsgrove, Worcestershire.
"Both vets and others that use the excuse that they are docking working breeds to prevent tail injuries should watch the fox hounds (whos tails I've never seen docked) run through brush and wire for several hours, two or three times a week. These are far more at risk than your average urban boxer from injuries! We all know its a pathetic excuse."
Paul Roger. BSc, MSc, BVetMed, DSHP, CertWEL, RFP, MRCVS
Jo Rogers BVSc MRCVS
Clare Rogers BVSc (Hons 1) MRCVS
"Please add my details to your list of vets supporting a complete ban on non-therapeutic docking. I have felt very strongly about this since qualifying 22 years ago, and have never docked a dog's tail for any reason."
Julie Rose BVM&S 1981.
Ian Ross MA VetMB MRCVS
Susan P Richardson BVM&S MRCVS
"I have not docked a tail for at least 12 years and I will not dock any more. I am totally against docking and hope that the Government will pass legislation outlawing docking for good. Docking inflicts pain and carries risks for the dog."
Delia Richter BVSc MRCVS Goddard Vet Group, Barking.
"I am an Australian vet practising in Barking, UK. Tail docking has recently been banned in Australia and about time too. What amazes me is that this HAS to be banned....you would think surely that people in this day and age would just not do it!"
Juliette Riddall BVSc CertVA MACVSc MRCVS
"Please add my name to your efforts in preventing tail docking. I have worked as a vet for 15 years and have never docked a tail as yet and have no intention of ever doing so. Ive recently been working in Melbourne in Australia and in 2 states here it is now illegal not just iunethical which is fantastic and even better at a show I went to recently all the german shorthaired pointers had tails- what a magnificent sight!
A few years ago in practice I was written to by the council for docked breeds to see if I would dock tails- my reply to them was ' if prophylactic docking was necessary in gun dogs to prevent tail injuries then a human equivalent would [erhaps be that all rugby players should have their ears removed to prevent cauliflower ears and haematomas'.

It is really sad that some vets are still doing this barbaric practice
Christel Robbins BVSc MRCVS GPCertSAP
Sarah Roberts BVSc Cert SAS MRCVS
Sian Rosser BVSc MRCVS
Yvonne Robson BVetMed BSc
MRCVSJennifer Rothwell BVetMed MRCVS
"I graduated in London but now work in South Africa where animals are not yet recognised as being sentient beings. However, the SA Vet Council have now proposed a total ban on docking dogs."
Vicky Runyeard BVetMed MRCVS.
Clare Rusbridge
BVMS DipECVN MRCVS RCVS and European Speicialist in Veterinary Neurology
Stone Lion Veterinary Centre, Wimbledon Common.
"I fail to be convinced by the "susceptible to trauma" argument. Many dog breeders are more concerned about the potential purchase value of a dog rather than its welfare. It is time vets stood up to them."
Robert Russell BVM& S MRCVS. Southampton.
"Please feel free to add my name to the list on your website. I have refused to dock tails for more years than I care to remember following the death of two OESD pups after docking to the crazy degree required for breed standards. I was fortunately on this occasion not the vet that performed the docking but there but for the grace etc..."

Clare Robinson MA VetMB MRCVS
"Please add my name to the list of vets against tail docking. I see so many puppies at first vaccination that have been mutilated in this way and it upsets me every time. Despite it being so unneccessary, my main concern is over the importance of tails in dog-dog communication and that these poor pups are at a disadvantage to dogs with full tails. The public are in need of some serious education - the market drives the continuation of this pratice and if
people stopped buying docked puppies, money-driven breeders would soon have to change their ways!"
David Rosenberg BVM&S BSc MRCVS
Simon Rowell BVSc MRCVS
Peter Rushton-Taylor BVSc MRCVS (Bristol '82)
Miss E. Salisbury B.Vet. Med. MRCVS
Roger D Salmon BVSc MRCVS
"If the government should listen to anyone surely it should be to the professional body who have no possible motive other than the welfare of animals."
Ana Sarmiento DrMedVet CertVA MRCVS
Julie Saunders BVSc VN MRCVS
Sibilla Schleicher MRCVS
Kiran Sehgal BVET MED, MRCVS.
Colin Scott BVM&S, MRCVS (Edinburgh 1972)
We have refused to dock tails for 20 years, and would support a total ban."
Leanne Scott BVSc (Massey University 2002) MRCVS
Jennie Scotter BVM&S MRCVS
Catherine Sen MA VetMB MRCVS
Stephanie Sieff BA, VetMB, MRCVS
John Sheridan BVetMed DMS CVPM MRCVS
Mrs Anne Shilliday BVMS MRCVS
Vicky Sims BVM&S MRCVS
"Please add my name to the list of vets against the non-therapeutic docking of dogs tails. It is a completely unnecessary and cruel procedure."
Alison Sinclair BVMS MRCVS
William Sinclair BVMS MRCVS
Ivybank Veterinary Clinic, Irvine.
"Please add my details to your list of Vets Against Docking.
I qualified in 1978 and have not docked any tails since approximately 1992."
Pamela Singleton FRCVS
Maurice Kelly MRCVS
"The comment I would like to make, is how best we educate the public. Clients come in to the surgery with their new puppy of which they are very proud. One has to be very diplomatic not to spoil their joy in the new pup, to point out that it is docked. some people profess not to know that this is not how nature intended. others say they would have bought a non docked one but they were already docked. Clients with dogs who have pups say they have to dock them or they wont be able to sell them. Catch 22. I do not know who docks these pups as I dont know any vets who admit to doing it."
Dan Skeldon MA VetMB MRCVS
Rosie Skinner BVSc MRCVS,
Alan Slater BVMS [1973].
"Please add my name against this barbaric act."
Angela Smith BVSc MRCVS
Oliver Smith BVM&S MRCVS
Paul Smith BVetMed DVC MRCVS
Sarah Smith MA VetMB CertVC MRCVS
Steve Smith, BVetMed(Hons), MRCVS
Freda Scott-Park, BVM&S, PhD, MRCVS President, BVA
"A recent comment from a forthright (pro-docking) member of our profession was that we hadn't a hope of getting the procedure banned "because we weren't half as good as the CDB and the Kennel Club at lobbying"
Michelle Shanson BVSc MRCVS
Timothy Shearman BVMS MRCVS North Yorkshire
Kendal Shepherd, MRCVS, BVSc, CCAB (Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist)
Christine F Shield BVM&S MRCVS
Stocksfield, Northumberland.
Jonathan Shippam BVSc CertSAS MRCVS
Eileen M. Sinclair B.V.M.S.,M.R.C.V.S.
Kate Simm, BVMS, MRCVS
Gill Simpson BVM&S MRCVS (SA practice)
Jimmy Simpson SDA BVM&S MPhil MRCVS (SA int med specialist & worker of gundogs!)
Two ageing vets with WORKING springer spaniels with TAILS! Good luck!!
Alison Sinclair BVMS MRCVS
Pamela Singleton FRCVS
Maurice Kelly MRCVS
Rosie Skinner BVSc MRCVS,
Jane Gray BVSc MRCVS Deputy Director (Veterinary Services)
Fiona Woodhouse MA VetMB MRCVS Deputy Director (Welfare)
Michael Hough BVSc MRCVS Senior Veterinary Surgeon
Corla DeWet BVSc MRCVS
Michael Muir BVMS MRCVS
Yasmin Jiwa DVM MRCVS
Heidrun Kraft Dipl Tzt MRCVS
Catherine Sen MA VetMB MRCVS
Carmel Taylor MVB MRCVS
Marisa Goodie BVSc MRCVS
Liza Koster BVSc BSc (Hons) MRCVS
Carla Chow BVM&S MRCVS
Gillian Norbert-Tikun BVM&S MRCVS
Michael Bradley BVMS MRCVS
Gillian Hung BVet Med MRCVS
Susie Lam Dr Med.Vet MRCVS
Kate Iu BVSc
Matthew Field BVSc
Cheryl Mc Meekan BVSc MSc
Pat Poon (locum) BVSc BSc (Vet)
Sharon Chan (locum) BVSc MRCVS
Betty Chan (locum) BVSc MRCVS
Alison Main (locum) BVMS MRCVS
Julia Smith, Bvet med, Bsc, Cert VD MRCVS
Mike Smith, B.A., Vet.M.B., M.R.C.V.S.
"Long overdue - get it stopped!"
Oliver Smith BVM&S MRCVS
Nina Snowden BSc BVMS MRCVS Murdoch Grad
Mr L Sobye BVSc MRCVS
Susan Somers BVM&S MRCVS
Sybil Soulsby BVSc MRCVS
Peter Southgate BVetMed MSc MRCVS
Dr Andy Sparkes BVetMed PhD DipECVIM MRCVS
Nicole Sparrow. BVSc hons GPCertSAP MRCVS
Deborah Stafford MA VetMB MRCVS
Jade Statt BVMS MRCVS
Michelle Stead. MRCVS BVet Med.
Michael Steel BVSc LLB MRCVS
Rachael Steen MRCVS
Anneliese Stell BVM&S DSAM MRCVS
The Royal Veterinary College, University of London
Gillian Stenlake BVSc MRCVS
Ann Sterry BVSc MRCVS
Alan M. T. Stevens,
"My qualification is BVM&S Nov 1978
I frequently see puppies with docked tails which I am certain have not been docked legally (by a registered veterinary surgeon). The only way this can be stopped is to totally ban this procedure and make it a procedure akin to de-clawing cats or cropping ears.
I am certain (and I used to dock puppies tails and remove rear dew-claws) that the crying indicates pain, however short-lived that may appear to be. Most of my patients will never be "working dogs" as my place of practice is Birmingham. It is purely to for fashion, cosmetic or economic reasons that this practice is still carried out.
Yorkshire terriers and Rottweilers are not working breeds and still appear docked at first examination.
Most clients are surprised when I ask them who docked their puppoes tails. Most don't know and most think that they have no choice in having an undocked puppy in the breed they want.
Several CPD lectures I have attended have pointed out that Urinary Sphincter Mechanism Incontinence appears to be more common in the docked breeds.
Lorna Stevenson BVetMed MRCVS VO
William Stewart BVM&S
Wendy Stickells BVetMed MRCVS
Mark Stidworthy MA VetMB PhD MRCPath MRCVS
Veterinary Pathologist
Roger Stobbs BVSc MRCVS
Neil Stoddard B.Vet.Med. MRCVS.
Walter P Stohr BVSc, MRCVS
Mandy Stone BVM&S MRCVS
Sarah Stonton BVM&S MRCVS
Jo Stonehewer BVM&S DSAM MRCVS
"The cosmetic removal of a dog's tail is abhorrent in the 21st century."
Heidi Strong BVetMed MRCVS
Ian Stroud BVSc MRCVS
Anne-Marie Svendsen Aylott DVM, MRCVS
Dr Caty Swain BVSc, GPCert(SAP), MRCVS.
Bernard Swift, BVSc, MRCVS, Hull
" I fully support a complete ban on the non-therapeutic docking of dog's tails. The lack of justification for docking can be illustrated no better than by the fact that there are 2 breeds of corgis - Pembroke which are docked and Cardigan which are not - how can the docking of the Pembroke ones be justified when the Cardigan ones have normal tails."
Simon Swift MA, VetMB, CertSAC, MRCVS
Harriet Syme BSc BVetMed PhD DACVIM DECVIM-CA
David Talbot BVet.Med. MRCVS
Chris Tansley, BVMS MRCVS
S.W.Tappin MA, VetMB, CertSAM, MRCVS
Clinical Scholar in Small Animal Medicine and Intensive Care
Dept of Clinical Veterinary Science
Dr Séverine Tasker BSc BVSc PhD DSAM DipECVIM-CA MRCVS
European Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine
Lecturer in Small Animal Medicine
Department of Clinical Veterinary Science
University of Bristol
Steve Tasker BVSc MRCVS
Fiona Taylor BVetMed MRCVS
Abi Taylor (nee. Lane) BSc BA Vet MB, MRCVS
NC State University, USA
Melanie Taylor BVetMed MRCVS
Samantha Taylor BVetMed(Hons) MRCVS
Anna Tebb MA, VetMB, MVM, CertSAM, MRCVS
Registrar in Small Animal Internal Medicine, Murdoch University, WA
Girish Thakral, MRCVS
Alison Thomas BVSc Cert SAM MRCVS
Sian Thomas, MRCVS
Katie Tomkinson BVSc (Hons) MRCVS
Claire Thomlinson MVB MRCVS
Stephanie Tickle MA VetMB MRCVS
Guy Tomlinson BVSc MRCVS
Des Thompson OBE BA MVB MRCVS
"There can be no possible welfare justification for cosmetic docking of dogs. It is an unnecessary mutilation which serves no useful purpose for the animal."
Darryl Thorpe BVSc, MRCVS, Looe, Cornwall.
"I qualified in 1973 & have always found tail docking of puppies abhorrant- when I opened my own surgery in 1982 I stopped non therapeutic docking. I sold my surgery in 2003 & now do locum work locally. The law needs strengthening to prevent non therapeutic tail docking plus making it illegal to own or show docked dogs. The Kennel Club should be thoroughly ashamed of its allegiance with the CDB"
Catherine L Thorp BVM&S
Kathryn Tovey BVSc MRCVS
Jenny Towers BCs BVM&S MRCVS
Tim Townsend BVetMed MRCVS (The New Forest)
"How can any veterinary surgeon justify the mutilation of a sensitive and expressive mammal in order that a minority of people choose to pursue the mass destruction of avians for pleasure? If I were to shoot my clients flamingo for pleasure the RCVS and the rest of the profession would justifiably strike me off, what moral difference then is there between a flamingo and a pheasant? If we accept there is no difference between these two avians, where then is the moral authority in the voice of those people that do shoot pheasants, yet insist we mutilate other animals? Because they are our professional clients? It has been argued that "docking tails" is a trivial issue relative to greater animal welfare issues, if we cannot agree on this clearly unethical practice with no moral justification we have no moral authority as a profession to express our opinions on the greater issues.
Toby Travis BVSc MRCVS
Emma Travis BVSc MRCVS
Steve Trickey BVM&S MRCVS
Justin Trudgeon BVSc MRCVS
Denise Tucker BVSc. MRCVS
Jane Turner BVetMed, MRCVS
Julie Turner B.Vet. Med., MRCVS.
"I have been in practice over 20 years and when I was a young vet was coerced into performing several dockings and dew claw removals of litters of puppies. Eventually my policy was to have the owner hold the pup and point out exactly at which level they wanted this done. This left several amateur breeders traumatised with the practice.
I have been asked many times if it is a painful procedure so I liken it to cutting off a 3 day old baby's finger. I also explain that it is only recently that some medical experts have found out that babies feel pain (re circumcision) even though they may have stopped showing overt signs."
Joanna Turner BVSc MRCVS
Sally Turner MA VetMB DVOphthal MRCVS
RCVS Specialist
Colin Turtle B.Vet.Med. M.R.C.V.S.
Sandra Tyler BVet Med MRCVS
Dr. med. vet. Uwe Gerecke, MRCVS
Nicole Van Israël. DVM, CESOpht, CertSAM, CertVC, Diplomate ECVIM-CA (Cardiology), MSc, MRCVS
Andrew Vickery BVSc(Hons) MRCVS
Miraj Vadgama BVSc MRCVS
"Cosmetic tail docking is an unnecessary mutilation
without place in todays humane society."
Kay Varley BVetMed MRCVS
Matthew Vernon MA VetMB LGSM MRCVS
"Tail docking for "cosmetic" reasons has always struck me as an unnecessary mutilation of animals, and it's high time it was made illegal."
Elizabeth Villiers BVSc DECVCP DipRCPath Cert SAM Cert VR MRCVS
Lecturer in Clinical Pathology
Natalie Vine MA VetMB MRCVS
Bradley Viner BVetMed MSc(VetGP) MRCVS
Susan Waddell BVMS MRCVS
Paul Walden BVetMed MRCVS
Cathy Curtis BVetMed DVD MRCVS
Andrew Wales PhD BVSc MRCVS
Lucy R Walker BVetMed MRCVS
Jack Walsby Hon.F.R.C.V.S. Past president RCVS
"I fully support the initiative, and have opposed for years and banned it in my own practice some 30 years ago."
M T Walters BVetMed MRCVS
Malcolm Walters BVSc MRCVS
"Most breeds have their tails docked because 'it has always been that way' and therefore it is done out of habit or 'fear' that the puppies will be rejected in one way or another. "
Sheena Warman BSc BVMS DSAM DipECVIM-CA MRCVS
Laurence Webb BVSc MRCVS
Peter A Wedderburn BVM&S CertVR MRCVS
Karen Westcott BVSc BSc MRCVS
"I would like to be added to your list of vets who are against tail docking for non-medical reasons, I consider then practice a mutilation and am shocked the government have not acted on this issue sooner."
Frank Whaley BVM&S, MRCVS, DVSM.
Jill Whaley BVM&S, MRCVS.
Richard Warren BVSc MRCVS
Charlotte Whatmough BVetMed MRCVS
Natasha Watts BVSc BSc MRCVS
Simon Webb BVetMed MRCVS
Philippa Welsh BVSc MRCVS
Richard Weston
"I am proud to say that in 28 years in practice I have NEVER docked a tail, other than for post injury therapeutic reasons. I know I have lost many breeder clients for this reason, but I feel our principals should always go in front of profit where the animals welfare is concerned. Ten years ago I was instrumental in reporting a colleague for docking
Sue Wheeler B.Vet Med. M.R.C.V.S.
Ruth Wickens MRCVS
Catherine M. Williams BVM&S, MRCVS
Dr Kim Willoughby, BVMS, PhD, MRCVS
Miss M E T Williams BVSc MRCVS
Charlotte Wills BVM&S MRCVS
Matthew Wilson MA VetMB MRCVS
Tim Wilson BVSc MRCVS
David Whitaker
Dairy Herd Health & Productivity Service (DHHPS)
University of Edinburgh
Alison White BVMS CertWEL MRCVS
Robert White-Adams BVSc MRCVS
Colin Whiting BVSc CertSAS MRCVS
"I never have tail docked puppies and I never will. Tail docking causes pain and distress and is a barbaric mutilation for fashion's sake alone."
Nat Whitley, BVMS, PhD, CertVC, DACVIM, DECVIM, MRCVS
Miss M E T Williams BVSc MRCVS
John Williams MA VetMB CertVR FRCVS DipECVS
European Specialist in Small Animal Surgery
Rhian Williams BVSc MRCVS
Ruth Willis BVM&S DVC MRCVS
Onno Wieringa BA VetMB MRCVS
Andrew Wills BVM&S CertSAO MRCVS
"Dogs look and functions so much better with an expressive organ like the tail, that it just seems crazy for the practice of tail docking to continue in a so-called humane society. After all, ear cropping was outlawed over a century ago; when will tail docking (apparently originally performed by the Romans to prevent rabies) follow into the pages of history?"
Agnes C Winter BVSc, DSHP, PhD, MRCVS, FRAgS
Head of Department of Veterinary Clinical Science
Veterinary Teaching Hospital
Cass Wittwer BVSc (Hons) BSc (Hons) MRCVS
I'd like to add my name to the list of vets against the senseless act of cosmetic tail docking.
Paul Wotton BVSc, PhD, DVC, MRCVS
RCVS Diplomate & Specialist in Veterinary Cardiology
Jonathan Wray BVSc DSAM MRCVS
Chris Wright BVSc MRCVS
Emma Wright. BVSc(hons) BSc(hons) MRCVS
SAM WYLES BVSC
David Yates BVSc MRCVS
Mrs Suzanne M Young B.Sc., BVM &S, MRCVS
Stefano Zago MRCVS
Candice Zehnder MA VetMB GPCertSAS MRCVS
Tara Zilic BVetMed MRCVS

Goodness me Patch - that must be the longest post ever on Dogsey LOL

Iagree phil , think i would need to lie down after that xxdk

me to, I had heard rumours but stil WOW

It took blimmin` ages too :smt101
I did`nt realise just how long a page it would be in all honesty :smt103 :smt104 it looked a lot shorter in the text box :smt005

if you Had if fact read my previous posts you would have read that,i do support the docking of puppies but not the banding of puppies,what i dont support is the fact that breeders dont accept there is pain involved,also see quoted from a earlier post of yours(quote)
I have seen countelss docking, of different breeds, and I have never experienced such a scenario.
ALSO
I have witnessed mums, not batting an eyelid when the pups where docked "by banding" she would not do so if she thought her babies where in danger.

The last litter a frien dhad docked the vet came to her home, she took the mum out side to toilet, while the vet docked and dew clawed the pups, when she came back to them, they where whimpering a little (but them they whimper every time the dam moved from them)

why was you there if the pups were taken to the vet,surely the bitch would have been very uncomfortable with other ppl there?also considering you only have pet dogs you tend to know a awfull lot about the docking of puppies,the ways of newborn pups,and the ins and outs of breeding?and you asked me why i was making a personal statement,i think not ,i also think maybe you should answere that one;-)


also i will tell people it does hurt to dock a pup,why shouldnt i.?xxzbxx

Am I allowed to give 40 reppy points to patch for that post?