Is docking a dogs tail cruel? – Part 2

I guess the perception of cruelty is dependent on the individual being asked. The practice of docking a dog’s tail is definitely on my list of acts of cruelty. I couldn’t comprehend doing this to my beautiful Coonhound, yet to today owners are still subjecting their dogs, who they're supposed to love and protect, to this barbaric form of mutilation. In my opinion, anyone claiming to have a love for dogs would never even contemplate altering the perfect creature God created.

Body language can convey a number of messages. With dogs the tail is used to communicate with other dogs and humans. A range of emotions from happiness to fright can be expressed with the movement of the tail. The position of the tail is used to display dominance or submissiveness in relation to other dogs. Depriving a dog of it’s God given right to one of it’s natural defences is nothing but cruel.

Arguments have been made that the dog is young and doesn’t remember the pain. Does that make the procedure any less painful? The tail is made up of tiny vertebrae, like the spine. Severing this at any stage in the dog’s life is going to result in pain and anguish for the dog. I could make the same argument in regards to removing your big toe. It will be painful, but eventually you’ll forget the pain, so what the heck let’s do it.

The procedure doesn’t come without risk to the dog. The possibility of developing an infection presents a risk to the dog. Female dogs run the risk of developing urinary incontinence. Muscles attached to the base of the tail play a role in bladder control and can sustain damage during this procedure. The muscles around the anus can be affected as well. With these muscles weakened, the dog may need to strain to have a bowel movement. This can result in a very painful hernia.

Owners of certain breeds, particularly those grouped in the working class, may view this as a necessity. Carrying out their duties, especially those who travel through thick brush, can cause painful tail injuries. I don’t think the concept of preventative medicine was developed with the removal of actual appendages in mind. We've our dogs vaccinated yearly and provide routine veterinary care, and when injuries arise we address them. Is it really necessary to remove something that may be the source of an injury? That's nearly as ridiculous as saying all boxers should have their nose removed to eliminate the possibility of a painful broken nose.

Mainly for show purposes, many breeds are known for having docked tails. The only purpose of this is to make them more appealing to the human eye. Show dogs are judged to determine which one ideal represents it’s breed. How can a dog that has been physically altered be the best specimen? It’s time breed standards were changed to recognize all dogs with their natural born features. Are the kennel associations insinuating that God made a mistake, or are they refusing to admit they have?

Simply put, a love for your dog should prevent you from causing it needless pain in order to alter it’s appearance. As for my big, beautiful boy, he’ll continue to prance through the brush with his tail proudly waving in the air, the way God intended