A lot of 'reasons' are commonly given as to why tails docking should be stopped. The main ones used are listed and commented on below.
Pain is felt even with local anesthesia
Maybe that means that the anesthesia was not properly administered? There are so many references proving that local anesthesia works that this is a rather ridiculous statement. I have had procedures done under local anesthesia and felt no pain at all. I bet most of the readers have too. However, local anesthesia is not required when docking a puppy at a few days old.
Recent research in pain management indicated clearly that puppies of even a few days old have fully developed nervous systems
Please quote General References so that we can all check up this startling new research. Refer Prof. Dr. R. Fritsch's research results in the development of the nervous system in animals. Or try applying some common sense. If puppies did have fully developed nervous systems they would be able to see, hear and run around. Even a human baby of a few days old does not have a fully develop nervous system - check with your local anesthetist or pediatrician to verify this. On the other hand a little lamb does. It can see, hear and run at speed shortly after born. Sheep tails are still being docked and SAVC defends the procedure. I do not see any evidence of the SPCA doing anything about it either. (Refer FAWC report)
Docking puppies tails does not provide any benefit
Rather a lot of us do see benefit in docking tails of traditionally docked breeds. There is also startling evidence of injury to tails in traditionally docked dogs that have been left undocked. I refer to a study done in Sweden, published in 1992, where there has been found that about 30% more undocked dogs suffered serious tail injuries than docked dogs. Refer to injury reports now being published from the UK for further evidence.
Dogs need their tails for balance and body language
What scientific evidence is this statement based on? As and example take two breeds, Boxers and Dobermanns. Both are developed breeds that have always had their tails docked - at least till recently. Both are acknowledged to be extremely agile and successfully participate in sports where agility and balance is a significant requirement. I have lived with and bred docked and undocked dogs since a I was a child. There really is no visible difference in their ability to communicate.
Amputate a limb
A tail is not a limb. The view that a dog cannot function properly without a tail is without foundation. Removal of a tail does not impede/hamper the dog in any way. There are in fact many people who feel it helps the dog perform the function it is tended for. For example, in the UK where there legislation to prevent docking there are exceptions made for certain categories of dogs in acknowledgement that these dogs need to be docked for reasons required by the function they perform.
It is for aesthetic reasons only so should not be allowed
Only the uniformed and misinformed think it is for aesthetic reasons only. BUT, even if it was: Cosmetic surgery for humans is totally acceptable. Stop cosmetic surgery in humans and you may have a case. There are many other procedures being performed on animals by vets that really should not be allowed and are a lot more invasive, in may cases down right cruel. All of them essentially to make life more convenient for humans.
Prepared for the Docked Breeds Association of SA by MK based on contributions by members
Prepared for the Docked Breeds Association of SA by MK based on contributions by members