For release 10.00am 12 June 2013

Dogs Need Their Tails

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The New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) in partnership with the Royal New Zealand SPCA and the NZ Companion Animal Council (NZCAC) today launched a Tail Wagging Campaign to save dogs from unnecessary cosmetic tail docking.

“All puppies are born with tails,” Dr Rhea Hurley, President of NZVA’s Wellington regional branch says.

“However, some breeds have them cut off or shortened – docked – when they’re only a few days old and it’s done purely for cosmetic reasons and tradition.

“Dogs need their tails to communicate and to balance. Altering their appearance by cutting off their tails has no benefit to them and there is even evidence it can be harmful,” she says.

NZVA, RNZSPCA and NZCAC are calling on the public to support their campaign to have tail docking banned in New Zealand by visiting their campaign website and sending an e-card submission to the Minister for Primary Industries, Hon Nathan Guy, asking for Government support for legislation to ban tail docking of dogs, unless it’s for medical or surgical reasons. More information is available on the campaign website www.tail-wagging-campaign.org.nz

New Zealand is falling behind worldwide with at least 33 countries, including Australia in 2004, already having banned tail docking of dogs.

“Just because we are used to seeing certain breeds without their tails,” Dr Hurley says, “does not justify continuing to put puppies through this cosmetic procedure. By continuing to do it, we are potentially putting them at risk of significant future health problems such as incontinence, hernias, phantom tail pain, and increased sensitivity to any pain for the rest of their lives.”

A recent study by Amber Wells at Massey University shows that at least 100 dogs would need to be docked to prevent just one tail injury. Most tail injuries can be treated with a single visit to a veterinarian, and most don't require amputation to fix.

“Removing or docking the tail of a puppy purely for cosmetic reasons is unethical and has no welfare benefits to the dogs. It removes a form of communication, and can be detrimental to the future health of the puppy,” Dr Hurley says.

ENDS

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