MSPs vote to end complete ban on docking dogs’ tails

MSPs have voted to end the outright ban on tail docking for dogs in Scotland.

Parliament voted by a majority in favour of creating exemptions for two breeds, which would allow vets to shorten the tails of spaniels and hunt point retrievers by up to a third when they are puppies up to five days old.

The move ends the outright ban brought in by the Scottish Government in 2007 as part of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006, which also makes it illegal to take a dog out of Scotland to have its tail removed.

While other parts of the UK have a ban on docking, there are exemptions for working dogs.

Labour and the Greens opposed the changes, while the Conservatives were in favour along with a majority of the SNP, while Liberal Democrats were given a free vote.

Environment secretary Roseanna Cunningham said evidence shows these types of gun dogs are at increased risk of injury without having their tails docked.

She said: “We firmly believe that shortening the tail of puppies at risk of tail injury will improve the welfare of these dogs.”

The procedure can only be carried out a by vet who must be satisfied there the animal will be used as a working dog in later life.

The SNP’s Christine Graham called on backbenchers to reject the changes.

MSPs voted by 86 to 29 in favour of the changes, with nine abstentions.