Press Release from the New Zealand Kennel Club

5 August 2004

Tail Docking Is Not Cosmetic, It Is To Avoid Injuries Like This:

The New Zealand Kennel Club continues to strongly support Freedom of Choice for dog owners over the issue of Tail Docking.

With the Animal Welfare (Restriction on Docking of Dogs’ Tails) Bill being drawn out of the Parliamentary ballot today, President of the New Zealand Kennel Club, Ray Greer, is hoping that Members of Parliament will not be swept away in the tide of emotion that has been generated by Dianne Yates’ Members Bill.

The New Zealand Kennel Club maintains that when the correct procedures are followed for tail docking, cruelty has never been proven. We adhere to this view despite the emotive cries from animal welfare organizations.

“The issue is that while tail docking is legal, the procedures can be carried out in a safe environment and by people who have had proper training. Make tail docking illegal and that is when we open up the possibility of inhumane procedures carried out by untrained owners”, says Ray Greer, President of the New Zealand Kennel Club.

He continues, “The reasons for supporting tail docking are many, and vary depending upon the individual breeds. It should be noted that we do not promote tail docking in all breeds. It must be understood that tail docking is not carried out for cosmetic reasons but rather is performed in breeds where having a tail becomes a safety or hygiene issue.”

Tail injuries amongst active hunting dogs can only be described as horrific. Tail docking is a humane way of managing such risks and therefore it is in the best interest of the dog to allow it.

To make tail docking illegal is not the answer, in fact doing so will only exacerbate the cruelty aspect that we are all trying to prevent. “Let tail docking remain legal so that it can continue to be performed in a safe and educated environment!” concludes Ray Greer.

ENDS

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