Who we are
Tail docking is a very emotive subject. The Docked Breeds Association of South Africa (DBASA) aims to educate the public as well as to protect the freedom to choice of those breeders and puppy buyers who choose the tail docking option. We are manned by breeders of the traditionally docked breeds.
Background
The tactics used by both the SAVC and SPCA are threat, based on gross misinformation. The SPCA would have to prove animal cruelty should they decide to prosecute anyone. The principle of this issue has already been tested in New South Wales where the RSPCA was unable to prove cruelty in a court case against a person who correctly docked puppy tails.
The other charge the SPCA is trying to bring against people is that of maiming. The dictionary definition of maim is ' to disable' or 'to render defective'. Neither is true for a docked dog. There are a lot of people who are of the opinion that docking enhances the dogs ability to function. As docking has already been labeled 'cosmetic' there is a clear acknowledgement that it does not disfigure the dog. It certainly in no way renders the dog defective.
A recent addition to the above is to attempt to label tail docking a 'surgical procedure' which is only allowed to be performed by a veterinarian. It is not a surgical procedure and if it was there are going to be a lot of farmers up in arms as they will have to call in a veterinarian to dock their sheep's tails in future. Research shows that traditional reasons for docking of lamb tails cannot be scientifically proven. Read the report by the Farm Animal Welfare Council
(FAWC).
There is a whole lot being printed as 'fact' without substantiating it with scientific references. Below are some of the arguments most commonly put forward followed by some facts and logic.
The other charge the SPCA is trying to bring against people is that of maiming. The dictionary definition of maim is ' to disable' or 'to render defective'. Neither is true for a docked dog. There are a lot of people who are of the opinion that docking enhances the dogs ability to function. As docking has already been labeled 'cosmetic' there is a clear acknowledgement that it does not disfigure the dog. It certainly in no way renders the dog defective.
A recent addition to the above is to attempt to label tail docking a 'surgical procedure' which is only allowed to be performed by a veterinarian. It is not a surgical procedure and if it was there are going to be a lot of farmers up in arms as they will have to call in a veterinarian to dock their sheep's tails in future. Research shows that traditional reasons for docking of lamb tails cannot be scientifically proven. Read the report by the Farm Animal Welfare Council
(FAWC).
There is a whole lot being printed as 'fact' without substantiating it with scientific references. Below are some of the arguments most commonly put forward followed by some facts and logic.
The SAVC
The South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) claims that tail docking is now against the law. They 'decided' this without following any of the democratic requirements for pomulgrating legislation in South Africa. The Department of Agriculture was contaced by the DBASA and it was found thst SAVC cannot even prevent their own members from docking. All they can do is to state that they 'no longer condone' the practice (ref SAVC journal dated November 06). The only thing that can happen to their members is the threat of prosecution under the current Animal Protection Act (last amended 1993).
Some issues that needs to be aired
There have been some very disturbing incidents concerning vets. A few have threatened their own clients with 'reporting' them if they bring in young dogs or puppies that are docked for treatment. Some vets actually did and this resulted in major harassement of caring, good breeders. Any vet who does this can be prossecuted under the regualtions that governs them (GNR.2086 of 1 October 1982: Rules relating to the practising of veterinary professions
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE). What on earth happened to their medical ethics? What about normal confidentiality? There are even reports of some vets refusing to treat docked dogs. If a dog needed treatment and it is refused on those grounds would that not constitute cruelty? Is treating the animal who may need help not more important than alienating their clients by trying to enforce what can only be a personal point of view? A vet may not legally refuse to treat an animal in need. (Read GNR.2086 of 1 October 1982: Rules relating to the practising of veterinary professions DEPARTMENT OF ARICULTURE)
Unfortunately the SPCA has been acting in a manner that clearly indicates they do not have the welfare of the animals at heart. They have removed puppies as young as 10 days old from clean, dry, heated premises where were whelped and driven them more than 200km to the 'examined' by a vet. Thus exposing them to huge trauma and putting the puppies lives at serious risk. They have removed well cared for 8 week old puppies from their dam, clean premises (in winter, in a 'bakkie' with broken back windows without any bedding or crate to protect them during transport) into SPCA kennels - standard, unheated concrete, amongst stray dogs that were not vaccinated, potentiallay exposing to all sorts of deseases. Neither act can be justified and both can be seen as cruel to the animals in question. Read an account of the breeders experience.
If the impact on the dog is the main criteria for measuring if a procedure should be allowed or not we would strongly suggest that the policy of sterilization be reviewed. It is a painful operation and the negative effects far outweighs the positive effects (Laura J Sanborn, MS May 14, 2007). It is basically done to make life easier for the humans on the planet. We are not advocating no more sterilization, just pointing out the inconsistency of the anti docking sentiment.
It is suggested that the SAVC and the SPCA should spend their time and funds fighting the real animal cruelty in South Africa (and there is unfortunately a lot!) rather than going after the 'easy, highly visible target' where a dog is in a loving home and being beautifully cared for. Several of us who have routinely donated to the SPCA have stopped. The work we have always done to fight animal cruelty is now being channeled thru other organisations. At present it appears as though the SPCA has been hijacked by militant animal activists who have as their aim to eventually ensure that nobody has any pets of any kind.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE). What on earth happened to their medical ethics? What about normal confidentiality? There are even reports of some vets refusing to treat docked dogs. If a dog needed treatment and it is refused on those grounds would that not constitute cruelty? Is treating the animal who may need help not more important than alienating their clients by trying to enforce what can only be a personal point of view? A vet may not legally refuse to treat an animal in need. (Read GNR.2086 of 1 October 1982: Rules relating to the practising of veterinary professions DEPARTMENT OF ARICULTURE)
Unfortunately the SPCA has been acting in a manner that clearly indicates they do not have the welfare of the animals at heart. They have removed puppies as young as 10 days old from clean, dry, heated premises where were whelped and driven them more than 200km to the 'examined' by a vet. Thus exposing them to huge trauma and putting the puppies lives at serious risk. They have removed well cared for 8 week old puppies from their dam, clean premises (in winter, in a 'bakkie' with broken back windows without any bedding or crate to protect them during transport) into SPCA kennels - standard, unheated concrete, amongst stray dogs that were not vaccinated, potentiallay exposing to all sorts of deseases. Neither act can be justified and both can be seen as cruel to the animals in question. Read an account of the breeders experience.
If the impact on the dog is the main criteria for measuring if a procedure should be allowed or not we would strongly suggest that the policy of sterilization be reviewed. It is a painful operation and the negative effects far outweighs the positive effects (Laura J Sanborn, MS May 14, 2007). It is basically done to make life easier for the humans on the planet. We are not advocating no more sterilization, just pointing out the inconsistency of the anti docking sentiment.
It is suggested that the SAVC and the SPCA should spend their time and funds fighting the real animal cruelty in South Africa (and there is unfortunately a lot!) rather than going after the 'easy, highly visible target' where a dog is in a loving home and being beautifully cared for. Several of us who have routinely donated to the SPCA have stopped. The work we have always done to fight animal cruelty is now being channeled thru other organisations. At present it appears as though the SPCA has been hijacked by militant animal activists who have as their aim to eventually ensure that nobody has any pets of any kind.
KUSA Breed List
A list of all breeds listed with the Kennel Union of Southern Africa, including 54 traditionally docked breeds.
Get in touch with us
Get in touch with the Docked Breeds Association if you encounter a problem with the SPCA when correctly docking a puppy at a few days old. We will fight this as a group and help you prepare a de fence if you are prosecuted.
Prepared for the Docked Breeds Association of SA by MK based on contribution by members
Prepared for the Docked Breeds Association of SA by MK based on contribution by members