THE BAN on docking dogs’ tails should not exempt working dogs, vets will urge MSPs this month.
The practice of removing part or all of a dog’s tail by surgical excision or constricting its blood supply was banned in 2007 except for veterinary treatment, where the tail is injured or diseased.
Exemptions existed in other parts of the UK and last year Holyrood held a consultation asking if vets can also dock the tails of working spaniel and hunt point retriever puppies by up to a third of their length to reduce the risk of more serious injury later in life.