Tail docking ban lifted for some dog breeds

Scotland has ended its outright ban on tail docking for dogs after MSPS passed exemptions for specific breeds.

The amended legislation allows vets to shorten the tails of spaniels and hunt point retrievers when they are puppies.

Holyrood’s environment committee passed the changes after hearing from environment secretary Roseanna Cunningham.

She said the change is in response to evidence that these types of gun dogs are at increased risk of injury without having their tails docked, and limits the removal to the end third of the tail.

She said: “The regulations also ensure as far as is reasonably possible that only dogs likely to be used for lawful shooting purposes can have their tails shortened.”