NZCDB claim 10 Year Disqualification from owning dogs "Just not enough."
Press Release issued 17 June 2014
New Zealand Council of Docked Breeds(NZCDB) spokesperson Mrs Lesley Chalmers considers "a life time ban would be more
appropriate". Commenting on the Radio Network report from 14 June, Chalmers goes on to say "for the past ten years the
NZCDB has always supported SPCA and NZVA in the pursuit of prosecution of any individual that causes pain or distress to
any dog while not using the correct protocols for shortening tails." She hastens to add "if you don't believe me, just
check our previous Press Releases."
The NZCDB administers a panel of accredited people that are experienced breeders who follow strict procedures and
protocols when carrying out the banding procedure. "We know we are not causing pain or distress to either puppies or
their mother. The procedures were reviewed and accepted by the NAWAC Committee that was responsible for the introduction
of the current Code of Welfare for dogs in 2010. Chalmers goes on, "As far as the NZCDB is aware, since the inception of
this Code no further countries have introduced a ban and still no scientific evidence has been supplied to support the
SPCA claims that the procedure causes pain. This prosecution proves that New Zealand already has the power to punish
those that inflict any pain on animals and makes a farce of the SPCA claim that it does not have the ability to
prosecute under the current legislation. "
"Furthermore, the SPCA is incorrect in claiming there are 33 countries in the world that have banned the practice, we
supplied the correct information to the Select Committee by way of our submission. However we remain concerned about the
often misquoted facts and figures and over-emotive language opponents to docking. As an example, while making the claims
of the number of countries with a ban, the SPCA remains silent on the number of countries that have now permitted
certain breeds to be docked again due to the significant number of injuries being recorded."
Ends