Ban Ear Cropping and Tail Docking in North America

  • by: Krista R
  • recipient: CKC, AKC, Prime Minister Harper, President Obama

Ban Tail Docking and Ear Cropping in North America

Docking is the removal of portions of an animal's tail or ears. While space docking and bobbing are more commonly used to refer to removal of the tail, the term cropping is used in reference to the ears. Tail docking occurs in one of two ways. The first involves constricting the blood supply to the tail with a rubber ligature for a few days until the tail falls off. The second involves the severance of the tail with surgical scissors or a scalpel. The tail is amputated at the dock.

At least 17 dog breeds, including the Corgi, have naturally occurring bob tail lines. These appear similar to docked dogs but are a distinct naturally occurring genotype. The issue of docking is not relevant to these natural bob tails (also known as NBTs).

Today, many countries ban cropping and docking because they consider the practices unnecessary, painful, cruel or mutilation. In Europe, the cropping of ears is prohibited in all countries that have ratified the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals.


I have witnessed Many ear cropping surgeries first hand-and they are bloody/painful/Needless Surgery on young/innocent dogs. There is NO reason to do ear cropping. It is a completely elective/Cosmetic Surgery. The pain and suffering that these dogs endure-so that they can look different/have ears that stand up-is Senseless Animal Cruelty.


We in North America can change these practices from occurring. We can protect and care for these Beautiful dogs. They are beautiful just the way they are! We should Not change their naturally occuring ears and tails. If we let the AKA (American Kennel Club), CKC Canadian Kennel Club and ALL our government officials KNOW that we do not condone these practices-we can make a difference. This out dated practice must stop!


Tail docking to puppies fewer than 10 to 14 days old is routinely carried out by both breeders and veterinarians without anesthesia. Most tail dockings are done for aesthetic reasons rather than health concerns and are unnecessarily painful for the dog. Non-working show or pet dogs are routinely docked. No ones Pet dog should have to endure this useless procedure. And even Show Dogs do not have to have their tails docked and ear cropped. IF the CKC and AKC stood up for the Rights and Health of these Animals (versus the Elective/Cosmetic “look” that many have come complacent to except)-then these surgeries could cease from ocurring in North America.


Dogs use their tails to communicate with other dogs (and with people); a dog without a tail might be significantly handicapped in conveying fear, caution, aggression, playfulness, and so on. Certain breeds use their tails as rudders when swimming, and possibly for balance when running, so active dogs with docked tails might be at a disadvantage compared to their tailed peers.


Kennel clubs with breed standards that do not make allowance for uncropped or undocked dogs put pressure on owners and breeders to continue the practice. Although the American Kennel Club (AKC) says that it has no rules that require docking or that make undocked animals ineligible for the show ring, standards for many breeds puts undocked animals at a disadvantage for the conformation show ring. The American breed standard for boxers, for example, recommends that an undocked tail be "severely penalized." The AKC position is that ear cropping and tail docking are "acceptable practices integral to defining and preserving breed character and/or enhancing good health.”

I completely Disagree with the above statement-and believe that the Health, Care and Concern for these dogs health is Compromised by Tail Docking/Ear Cropping. They should not be subjected to this needless surgery-for Cosmetic Reasons.

. In England and Wales, ear cropping is illegal, and no dog with cropped ears can take part in any Kennel Club event (including agility and other nonconformation events). Tail docking is also illegal, except for a few working breeds; this exemption applies only when carried out by a registered veterinary surgeon.

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), the regulatory body for veterinary surgeons in the United Kingdom, has said that they consider tail docking to be "an unjustified mutilation and unethical unless done for therapeutic or acceptable prophylactic reasons". Those found guilty of unlawful docking would face a fine of up to £20,000, up to 51 weeks of imprisonment or both.

We in North America must also adopt these regulations/laws/banning of Cruel/Useless/Painful Surgeries on Dogs. Let’s put proper Animal Care Laws into place in North America-to Legally Ban Ear Cropping and Tail Docking. Only then will family pets dogs-and Show Dogs alike-will be free from this needless cruelty. Please sign the petition and also write your local and national politicians to let them know that you do not want to see this outdated/cruel practice continue in North America.

We the undersigned passionately care for animals and wish to see the laws changed to Ban ear cropping and tail docking in North America.



Ban Tail Docking and Ear Cropping in North America


Docking is the removal of portions of an animal's tail or ears. While space docking and bobbing are more commonly used to refer to removal of the tail, the term cropping is used in reference to the ears. Tail docking occurs in one of two ways. The first involves constricting the blood supply to the tail with a rubber ligature for a few days until the tail falls off. The second involves the severance of the tail with surgical scissors or a scalpel. The tail is amputated at the dock.


At least 17 dog breeds, including the Corgi, have naturally occurring bob tail lines. These appear similar to docked dogs but are a distinct naturally occurring genotype. The issue of docking is not relevant to these natural bob tails (also known as NBTs).


Today, many countries ban cropping and docking because they consider the practices unnecessary, painful, cruel or mutilation. In Europe, the cropping of ears is prohibited in all countries that have ratified the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals.



I have witnessed Many ear cropping surgeries first hand-and they are bloody/painful/Needless Surgery on young/innocent dogs. There is NO reason to do ear cropping. It is a completely elective/Cosmetic Surgery. The pain and suffering that these dogs endure-so that they can look different/have ears that stand up-is Senseless Animal Cruelty.



We in North America can change these practices from occurring. We can protect and care for these Beautiful dogs. They are beautiful just the way they are! We should Not change their naturally occuring ears and tails. If we let the AKA (American Kennel Club), CKC Canadian Kennel Club and ALL our government officials KNOW that we do not condone these practices-we can make a difference. This out dated practice must stop!



Tail docking to puppies fewer than 10 to 14 days old is routinely carried out by both breeders and veterinarians without anesthesia. Most tail dockings are done for aesthetic reasons rather than health concerns and are unnecessarily painful for the dog. Non-working show or pet dogs are routinely docked. No ones Pet dog should have to endure this useless procedure. And even Show Dogs do not have to have their tails docked and ear cropped. IF the CKC and AKC stood up for the Rights and Health of these Animals (versus the Elective/Cosmetic “look” that many have come complacent to except)-then these surgeries could cease from ocurring in North America.



Dogs use their tails to communicate with other dogs (and with people); a dog without a tail might be significantly handicapped in conveying fear, caution, aggression, playfulness, and so on. Certain breeds use their tails as rudders when swimming, and possibly for balance when running, so active dogs with docked tails might be at a disadvantage compared to their tailed peers.



Kennel clubs with breed standards that do not make allowance for uncropped or undocked dogs put pressure on owners and breeders to continue the practice. Although the American Kennel Club (AKC) says that it has no rules that require docking or that make undocked animals ineligible for the show ring, standards for many breeds puts undocked animals at a disadvantage for the conformation show ring. The American breed standard for boxers, for example, recommends that an undocked tail be "severely penalized." The AKC position is that ear cropping and tail docking are "acceptable practices integral to defining and preserving breed character and/or enhancing good health.”


I completely Disagree with the above statement-and believe that the Health, Care and Concern for these dogs health is Compromised by Tail Docking/Ear Cropping. They should not be subjected to this needless surgery-for Cosmetic Reasons.


. In England and Wales, ear cropping is illegal, and no dog with cropped ears can take part in any Kennel Club event (including agility and other nonconformation events). Tail docking is also illegal, except for a few working breeds; this exemption applies only when carried out by a registered veterinary surgeon.


The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), the regulatory body for veterinary surgeons in the United Kingdom, has said that they consider tail docking to be "an unjustified mutilation and unethical unless done for therapeutic or acceptable prophylactic reasons". Those found guilty of unlawful docking would face a fine of up to £20,000, up to 51 weeks of imprisonment or both.


We in North America must also adopt these regulations/laws/banning of Cruel/Useless/Painful Surgeries on Dogs. Let’s put proper Animal Care Laws into place in North America-to Legally Ban Ear Cropping and Tail Docking. Only then will family pets dogs-and Show Dogs alike-will be free from this needless cruelty. Please sign the petition and also write your local and national politicians to let them know that you do not want to see this outdated/cruel practice continue in North America.


Thank you for taking the time to consider this issue.

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