Press Releases
Media
Release from NZ Council of Docked
Breeds
22 October, 2004
Dog
Tail-Docking Bill an Exercise in Blatant Hypocrisy and Ignorance
If
along with a Bill seeking to ban docking of dogs’ tails, there were also a
Bill seeking to ban all circumcision of male babies, the Jewish community would
be up in arms at the prospect of a grievous infringement of their rights.
Well
the New Zealand Council of Docked Breeds represents thousands of responsible
dog-breeders in this country and we are outraged at the prospect of having our
rights trampled upon by this legislation.
Our
members are caring owners who love their dogs as children are loved and we know
that if the correct procedures are followed, tail-docking is not cruel. That is
why we support a freedom of choice position for dog-breeders and owners on the
issue of tail docking.
Blatant
hypocrisy
The
hypocrisy of a lobby that attempts to ban dog tail-docking while leaving lambs
and baby boys all over the country at the mercy of farmers and doctors
(respectively) is breathtaking. Clearly the belief exists that lamb docking and
male circumcision is not cruel and does not warrant legislation to ban it; so
why dogs?
Why
is lamb docking not cruel? Why shouldn’t we ban all circumcision except that
carried out for medical reasons?
The
fact is that arguments in support of docking lambs, circumcising Jewish baby
boys and docking dogs’ tails have much in common.
The arguments include:
 | hygiene
and safety (for lambs who grow into sheep vulnerable to fly-strike and
barbed wire-related tail injuries) and, |
| decades and centuries of tradition and culture. |
Cruelty
is not a serious issue in any of these instances. And on dog tail-docking, the
Council of Docked Breeds has expert veterinary opinion to support our position.
Of
course dog-breeders embrace tradition; just as they embrace passionate care for
the dogs they breed, raise and show. A tradition of breeds displaying certain
characteristics is valid in this society. And
that tradition is highly valued by a breeding community steeped in the culture
and tradition of dog breeding and showing.
Dogs,
like sheep, can be vulnerable to hygiene issues around their tails; long-haired
breeds in particular. And dogs
frequently suffer from tail injuries. We
do not seek to force all breeders to dock tails, we simply believe it is the
right of responsible breeders to choose.
We
demand an end to the hypocrisy at the heart of Dianne Yates Bill.
End