By Richard Prior
Saturday, 08 March 2008
Can a six-month old cocker spaniel have his tail docked? We ask expert Richard Prior
I have recently adopted a six-month-old cocker spaniel from an elderly friend who couldnt handle him. As a keen Shot and beater, I would like eventually to work him. Unfortunately, he does not have a docked tail. How do I stand within the law by trying to have his tail docked? Is it legally possible at his age?
The docking of dogs tails was banned in England from 6 April 2007, and Wales from 28 March 2007. However, there are exemptions from the ban for certain working dogs and for medical treatment. Any dog exempt from the ban must be no more than five days old when the procedure is carried out by a veterinary surgeon, who will also have to certify that he or she has seen evidence that the dog is likely to work in the specified areas.
The dog will also need to be micro-chipped by the same veterinary surgeon to identify it. Your dog could have been legally docked before the ban came into force, but not now and indeed it would not be docking, but rather amputation with general anaesthesia and the attendant risks. If at some point in the future the tail becomes badly damaged, then amputation may be the only treatment. Not all spaniels with long or full tails suffer damage, however, so you, or rather your cocker, may be lucky
Has combining tradition with technology made the Beta Classis shotgun ... Read more
Q) With my ferreting now finished for the season, my ferrets seem to b... Read more
Video becomes an Internet hit after employees of LACS are snar... Read more
Don't miss this week's issue (on sale Wednesday 1st February). FREE PRIZE DRAW - it is week 3 of our great "Gun a Week" competition, see P53 for further details and how to enter! Plus, who is top dog? Paul Rawlings reports on the 2012 Cocker Spaniel Championship. Get down to your newsagents and buy your copy today!
Derbyshire grousekeeper has failed to have his conviction over... Read more
Shotgun events being scheduled at future Paralympic Games is n... Read more
Save up to 31% on a subscription to Shooting Times & Country Magazine, subscribe today and perfect gift this Christmas.
Comments