Ruskell’s cruelty blast over docking
Green MSP slams puppy tail law backers as‘callous’
Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Mark Ruskell has accused the SNP and Conservatives of endorsing cruelty to animals.
MSPs from the two parties last week voted for an amendment that will see tail docking, which was outlawed in Scotland more than a decade ago, reintroduced for some breeds of puppy if there is evidence that they will become working dogs.
They say the purpose is to protect dogs who are at risk of tail injury and that decisions on tail shortening procedures will be made by practising vets.
However Mr Ruskell, who is environment spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, described the move as “callous” – saying the Scottish Government is damaging Scotland’s reputation as a nation of animal lovers.
He said: “Vets and animal welfare charities warned that this would be a retrograde step for Scotland, but callous SNP and Tory MSPs have endorsed this cruel and unnecessary practice.
“The painful docking of hundreds of puppies’ tails just to avoid one amputation in an adult dog is anti-science and nothing more than a sop to vested interests.
“The environment secretary admitted to me that this policy has no veterinary support, and she admits that her research did not look at the impact on dogs’ behaviour and communication.
“I’m sure many SNP supporters will be appalled by their MSPs’ actions. When you add puppy tail amputations to weak legislation on foxhunting, it’s clear that this government is damaging Scotland’s reputation as a nation of animal lovers.”
The British Veterinary Association say they are “appalled” by the decision.
And Melissa Donald, branch president for Scotland, said: “Research commissioned by the Scottish Government suggests that up to 320 spaniel puppies would need to be docked to prevent one tail amputation.
“The prevalence of serious tail injury simply does not justify unnecessarily submitting hundreds of puppies to this painful procedure.”
Stirling MSP Bruce Crawford, however, says the aim of the legislation is to enhance rather than weaken standards of animal welfare.
The SNP representative said: “Scotland will still have the strictest controls in the UK. This is categorically not a return to the tail docking practices of the past, which continue south of the border.
“The amended regulations make an exemption for tail shortening by a veterinary surgeon in very limited circumstances, for the sole purpose of benefiting dog welfare and only in connection with breeds that are commonly used in shooting activities – spaniels and hunt point retrievers.
“The regulations place the responsibility for making the decision in the hands of those who are best placed to make an informed professional judgment – the practising veterinary surgeons who know the clients who are working dog breeders, understand the risks of injury that are associated with normal shooting activities and, most importantly, have a professional duty to ensure the welfare of all animals in their care.”
Conservative MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife Alexander Stewart insists the decision was informed by expert opinion and upholds the highest standards in animal welfare.
He said: “I welcome the decision to make exemptions on the tail shortening.
“A wide range of people, from gamekeepers to farmers, have presented the Environment and Climate Change Committee in the Scottish Parliament with a wide range of evidence, and with careful consideration, the Scottish Conservatives decided to be supportive of changing legislation.
“At a local level, constituents have alerted me to the horrific and painful injuries their working dogs have sustained. In certain circumstances, this has led to the amputation of the dog’s tail.
“Everyone wants to see the highest standards in animal welfare, and I believe this change still upholds those standards, as the shortening – and not amputation – will take place by an experienced vet, and only to cockers and hunt point retrievers that are at risk of tail injury while engaged in lawful shooting activities.
“The operating vet must also be satisfied with evidence produced which shows that the dog is likely to be used for work in later life.
“The draft regulations show that this procedure will only apply to the final one third of the tail, which ensures that the dogs retain the use of two thirds of their tail along with all of their other ways of using body language to communicate and will still be able to socialise normally.”
•To comment on this story: email john.rowbotham@ trinitymirror.com, or write to the Observer at 34 Upper Craigs, Stirling, FK82DW.