Pettition to ban tail docking and ear pinning

Fellow dog lovers:

I am starting this petition to add to a letter I have written to my MP as follows. Please join me if you support this cause by signing the petition below. Thanks Catriona

December 03rd 2009

 Lisa Raitt

86 Main Street East
Milton, Ontario
L9T 1N3

Dear Ms. Raitt,

I am writing today to ask you to revise provincial and federal legislation to abolish the act of tail docking and ear cropping of dogs.  Ear cropping involves cutting off 2/3 of a dogs%u2019 ear flap, usually when the dog is 4-6 months old. This procedure is done under anesthetic; and uses taping and splinting to hold the ear in an upright position. Sometimes this procedure is unsuccessful and the ear will turn back down. In addition, the dog may experience post surgical pain and/or risk of infection to the ear. Tail docking is done when the dog is only a few days old. It requires removal of hair from the area where the tail will be cut severing muscles, tendons, bones, and cartilage; it is then stitched and bandaged. Tail docking and ear cropping have been practiced in Canada for many years, most specifically for show dogs.  Although the Canadian Kennel Club allows dogs to be shown without this %u2018look%u2019 their policies state that they will not change their legislation to ban these procedures; they believe that breeders and the breed clubs determine the standards. In the past there has been evidence to support that the practice of tail docking and ear cropping certain dog breeds was done for sanitary reasons.  For example, working dogs out in a field may have had their tails docked to avoid them getting caught and torn. Today these processes are still performed on these breeds but for cosmetic reasons only. It is very important to change the provincial and federal legislation because these processes are unnecessary today, and painful for the dog.

The current legislation; The Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, and the cruelty to animals section of the Criminal Code of Canada do not speak at all to these processes specifically. However, the criminal code states: %u201CCausing unnecessary suffering 445.1 (1) Every one commits an offence who (a) willfully causes or, being the owner, willfully permits to be caused unnecessary pain, suffering or injury to an animal or a bird.%u201D The OSPCA Act states; %u201CProhibitions re distress, harm to an animal Causing distress 11.2  (1)  No person shall cause an animal to be in distress. 2008, c. 16, s. 8.%u201D Neither of these acts permit pain or distress to an animal. However, tail docking and ear cropping which cause both are legal today. Both of the codes need to be revised to ban these procedures completely.

Although some breeders today say that they still perform these procedures for hygienic reasons I can find no evidence to support that having these procedures done is any more hygienic for a dog of today. Some breeders also argue that they are done to preserve the breed standard. There are many standard practices that at one point or another we humans have subscribed to that we may have felt at the time we had good reasons for doing so. However, as times change and we learn more we alter our perceptions and decisions. As these procedures are studied and the negative effects taken into account the breeder%u2019s argument is simply not keeping up with times. If a dog is naturally born with floppy ears and a long tail then it is we humans that are interfering with nature.  By doing this we cause several things to happen: bodily pain, changes in physical appearance, changes in behavior and communication.  Unnecessary pain from surgery with a chance of infection or further complications are an effect of the procedures.  By physically altering the dog we are changing his physical appearance and anatomy; this affects his natural balance, and perhaps even more important his body language. These are crucial to an animal who uses both as a means of communication and protecting himself as per his natural instinct of survival.

Many countries in Europe and Australia and New Zealand have already banned these procedures. In fact even in our own country they are illegal in Newfoundland and Labrador as per the animal protection act of 1978.  It is saddening to know that my provincial government is still so behind in putting this legislation in place some 31 years later. Perhaps Ms. Raitt you can be the one to bring Ontario%u2019s legislation up to date? I sincerely hope so for the sake of mans%u2019 best friend being subjected to procedures that are outdated, painful, and unnecessary.

Many vets will not even perform these surgeries now in Ontario. However, this responsibility should not fall on small business owners in the animal care field alone.  Legislation should be changed to support these professional opinions;  they are after all the experts in this field. If a veterinarian does not want to perform a surgery then they must not deem it to be necessary, and they must feel it to be inhumane; after all veterinarians like all doctors have to take a version of the Hippocratic Oath: %u201CBeing admitted to the profession of veterinary medicine, I solemnly swear to use my scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society through the protection of animal health, the relief of animal suffering, the conservation of livestock resources, the promotion of public health and the advancement of medical knowledge. I will practice my profession conscientiously, with dignity and in keeping with the principles of veterinary medical ethics. I accept as a lifelong obligation the continual improvement of my professional knowledge and competence.%u201C The underlying premise of the oath is to act in an ethical manner. If our vets do not support these procedures then we should be asking ourselves, why do we continue to appose a ban?

In summary Ms. Raitt I would suggest that we move forward to revise provincial legislation first and follow in the footsteps of Newfoundland and Labrador. We need to change the OSPCA Act first and then ask the rest of Canada to follow suit by then submitting changes to the Criminal Code. You have my commitment Ms. Raitt to start a petition to gain support to change the OSPCA Act to ban these procedures and to show that Ontarians are looking for this change. I will follow-up this letter by sending you this completed petition. Thank-you for your time and attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

 

Catriona Forrest