Save Dogs From Cropping & Docking

Dog ear cropping and tail docking for aesthetic reasons should be illegal.

The procedure is done under full anesthesia which involves risks, some dogs react to anesthesia and die.

some people say it doesn't bother the dog but how can we know? We can't ask them!

As with any surgery there is risk of infection, pain and suffering.

Often ears are taped up on the dogs head after being cropped so they will stick up. I'm rather certain the dog does not appreciate this.

Please sign to help make a difference in the lives of all these dogs who suffer in the name of looks.

Said by Ms. Trudy Handel, BC
on Mar 21, 12:32
"In actual fact, tail docking is done when the puppy is three days old - without any pain relief of any kind. I've been told that they "can't' feel the pain" of having their vertebra cut apart. Sorry, I think they do feel it - because they're howling in agony as it's being done. Some dogs experience "phantom pain" for their whole lives after this is done."

We, the undersigned, ask that the ear cropping and tail docking of dogs for aesthetic reasons be rendered illegal for the following reasons:


The Canadian Federation of Humane Societies find that:


“For centuries, dogs around the world have been subjected to tail docking and ear cropping predominantly for cosmetic purposes. Today many show dogs have their ears cropped and/or tails docked because it has been part of their breed standard for decades.”


“Fanciers of these breeds argue working dogs have their ears cropped and tails docked to prevent them from being torn while they work. However, ears and tails are rarely torn and the process of docking and cropping is unnecessary. In reality these procedures may be painful and should never be done except by a veterinarian for medical reasons.”


“There is a risk of infection after the surgery, and the dogs’ behaviour is sometimes negatively affected. The puppy will likely experience post-surgical pain.”


“The vast majority are performed only for cosmetic reasons and ‘tradition’, and, despite the fact that some dog owners claim they do it to prevent ear canal infections, there is no medical benefit to having a dog’s ears cropped.”


“Tail docking is performed when the puppy is only a few days old and involves removing the hair from the tail and then clamping the tail with a rubber band at the desired length, at which point it is cut with a scalpel or cutters, stitched up, and bandaged. In the process, muscles, tendons, nerves, bone, and cartilage is severed.”


“Tail docking is not necessary for hygienic reasons or for working dogs, and can be a painful procedure that should not be performed for purely cosmetic reasons. More and more veterinarians are refusing to perform it. A dog’s tail is important both for balance and body language.”


The American Veterinary Medical Association finds that there are risks associated with this procedure:


"General anesthesia—Cropping should always be carried out under full anesthesia, which itself has associated risks.4


Postoperative Care—Dogs will experience some discomfort during healing, stretching, re-taping and bandaging, and other manipulations after surgery. Some will need their ears bandaged or taped upright for days to months, and they may be isolated from other dogs during this period.


Potential Complications—As for any incision, cropped ears may become infected.  Cropped ears may also fail to stand or have a distorted shape or position potentially leading to subsequent operations.5,6,7  "


"It has been suggested that dogs with cropped ears are less likely to suffer from infections of the ear canal. Although the development of some serious infections has been linked to the presence of a heavy hanging ear8, there is no evidence that cropping prevents or successfully treats these infections. It has also been suggested that cropping avoids later ear injury9 or improves hearing, but no evidence is available to substantiate these claims either.  "


And that the only real reason for the procedure is: "Ear cropping produces an alert expression in dogs used for security or guard work and may contribute to the distinctive appearance of a pedigree breed."


In my opinion, and in the opinion of the many people who signed this petition find that it is not a good enough reason to put these dogs through so many risks and so much pain.


It is for these reasons that we ask that ear cropping and tail docking for aesthetic be considered cruelty and be outlawed in Canada.


 


Sources:


American Veterinary Medical Association's Animal Welfare Division, Welfare Implications of Ear Cropping-Dogs. Available at: https://www.avma.org/KB/Resources/Backgrounders/Pages/Welfare-Implications-of-Ear-Cropping-Dogs-Backgrounder.aspx Accessed March 24th 2014


The Canadian Federation of Humane Societies, Ear cropping and tail docking. Available at: http://cfhs.ca/athome/ear_cropping_and_tail_docking accessed March 24th 2014

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