Any non-veterinarian who docks a dog's tail, or any veterinarian who docks for a reason other than the dog's welfare, is liable for prosecution. A maximum penalty of $14,375 applies for individuals and up to 5 times more for corporations. Dog tail docking is banned in all other Australian states and territories.
In 2004, tail docking for non-therapeutic reasons was banned across Australia. Since then it has been illegal to dock dogs' tails unless there is a veterinary medical reason for the operation.
Dogs with docked tails get along just fine, but whether elective docking or medically necessary amputation, it's best to be informed. There are still many breeds all over the world who have their tails docked and many veterinarians willing to do it with as little pain and risk as possible.
Tail docking is done in modern times either for prophylactic, therapeutic, cosmetic purposes, and/or to prevent injury.
The Australian Shepherd and mini Australian Shepherd both often undergo tail docking for the following reasons: It's considered a standard of the breed. An undocked tail is long, messy, and could get matted. To prevent damage from tall grass, weeds, and other outdoor dangers.
Australian Shepherd dogs are one of only a few breeds that can boast the rare feature of a naturally bobbed tail. While not every Australian Shepherd dog is naturally tailless, about one in five Aussies are born without a tail.
Many have naturally short tails.
In addition to having a genetic predisposition for heterochromia, Aussies have a one-in-five chance of being born with a naturally bobbed tail,. Ranchers purposely bred Aussies that had these naturally short tails because they are safer when it comes to herding.
Cosmetic tail docking is cruel to puppies, and other species, especially when done without anaesthesia. Veterinary and Animal Welfare Associations in African countries should therefore move a legislative process that could lead to a ban of the procedure.
There are several breeds where puppies are born without tails. The most familiar dog breeds with docked tails include Australian Shepherd, Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog, Brittany Spaniel, Danish Swedish Farmdog, Jack Russell Terrier, Schipperke, and Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
The simplest and most common method of tail docking is to apply a rubber ring (band) to the tail using an elastrator tool. Banding is a bloodless method of tail docking. The band cuts off the blood supply to the tail, and the tail falls off in 7 to 10 days. Some producers cut the “dead” tail off before it falls off.
Tails are normally docked at 2 to 5 days of age without anaesthetic being used. When carried out correctly, the procedure causes no more than momentary discomfort since the puppy does not have a fully developed nervous system.
Tail docking a puppy is an inexpensive procedure. Generally, it runs from $10 to $20 per animal. This procedure is paired with the dog's first check-up, which can cost up to $100. If the dog is older, the cost is greatly increased.
Docking the tails of working dogs by a third while they are puppies could significantly decrease their risk of injury, according to research. A survey of more than 1,000 owners of working dogs found more than half of undocked spaniels experienced a tail injury of some sort in the last year.
Any non-veterinarian who docks a dog's tail, or any veterinarian who docks for a reason other than the dog's welfare, is liable for prosecution. A maximum penalty of $14,375 applies for individuals and up to 5 times more for corporations. Dog tail docking is banned in all other Australian states and territories.
This Code is complementary to and should be read in conjunction with Clause 9(l) of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, which prohibits debarking of dogs except by and on the advice of a registered veterinary practitioner and in accordance with this Code of Practice.
On 1 June 2004 it became an offence under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 (POCTA) to dock the tail of a dog in NSW. POCTA is enforced by the NSW Police, RSPCA NSW and the Animal Welfare League (AWL) NSW.
It is an outdated practice that involves cutting or crushing muscle, nerves, and bone without anaesthetic in puppies under 5 days old. Evidence indicates that it inflicts significant pain on puppies and deprives dogs of an important form of canine expression in future life.
Tail docking is a surgical procedure recommended to be done by a veterinarian, regardless of the age of a dog.
Tail docking is a surgical procedure recommended to be done by a veterinarian, regardless of the age of a dog. It is also known as a tail amputation even if only a portion of the tail is removed.
Duggan said some vizsla breeders also dock the tails themselves but most use the services of a vet and have tails docked and dew claws removed at the same time. I asked her if vets typically use anesthesia for the tail docking procedure. “Some vets do use a local anesthetic,” she said.
Tail docking is typically done when puppies are just a few days old, without anesthetics to numb the pain. It's a standard practice among breeders, who typically subject specific dog breeds to the torturous amputation.
Most Mini Aussies are born with long tails, later docked or shortened by a veterinarian. However, some breeders are now breeding Mini Aussies with natural or undocked tails. Many believe that Mini Aussies with natural tails are more athletic and agile than their docked counterparts.
Tail pull injuries can cause damage to nerves higher up in the spinal cord that control urination and defecation. If the nerves that control urination and defecation are injured, your dog may become incontinent. With time, nerve function may return; however, some dogs remain unable to control their bladder or bowels.
Dogs with docked tails express more aggressive behavior than dogs without docked tails, most likely because a tail is an important communication tool for dogs.