Can I dock this dog?

Re: Can I dock this dog?

salome2001 — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 13:43:19 GMT

[quote user="Niall Taylor"]

[Perhaps as a responsible child-minder she should consider keeping a heavy, boistrous dog with salivary incontinence away from small children in the first place. Niall

[/quote]

hear hear. who the hell registered her with ofsted with a dog like that in the first place? Sorry, but no way would I consider ANY dog, let alone a large one, appropriate to be in the room with children you are being paid to care for. Just as I wouldn't expect a childminders premises to have stairs without stair gates

Re: Can I dock this dog?

Niall Taylor — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 09:53:44 GMT

[quote user="Cat Henstridge"]I have seen a young boxer bitch today for a pre op check for a spay and the owner has inquired as to whether she can be docked while she is under the anaesthetic. She is a childminder and the dog's tail is causing bruising injuries to the children.[/quote]

That's about the feeblest excuse for docking I've ever heard. Perhaps as a responsible child-minder she should consider keeping a heavy, boistrous dog with salivary incontinence away from small children in the first place. I trust the dog is regularly wormed vs toxocara btw.

Quite right with your decision not to dock - it would have been your neck on the block too, not just the owner.

Niall

Re: Can I dock this dog?

Michael Woodhouse — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 00:44:44 GMT

[quote user="Vikki Halliday"]As I understand if you do decide to dock, the dog must be chipped first, and you must sign a certificate stating exactly why it was done. That I think also must include that it was carried out for the welfare of the animal.[/quote]

There is no requirement for that. The requirement for a chip applies to working dogs (terriers, spaniels) that are legally docked before 5 days old. The chip can be inserted when the animals are docked or up to three months later. The breeder signs a declaration to say they are the same puppies, and needs proof they they are likely to be used for working.

The wording is quite nice and vague as to when you are allowed to dock:

A person commits an offence if—
(a) he removes the whole or any part of a dog’s tail, otherwise than for the
purpose of its medical treatment

'Medical treatment' is more vague than just for the dog's welfare.

More info in Animal Welfare Act 2006 and on docking.

I would only ever chip the dog when docked, can't see how I can sign a certificate stating it's the same dog otherwise.

Re: Can I dock this dog?

Yaser Aykut — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 00:37:13 GMT

Good for you Cat! It is a terrible unnecessary thing to do.

Unfortunately here in Turkey is very different. We are docking tails and cutting ears because if we dont, the owners will do themselves without anaesthetic etc. In fact, many are doing this to puppies themselves in this lawless land! We are powerless to do anything except try to advise that they dont do it!

I hate to do this. Its barbaric!

Re: Can I dock this dog?

Cat Henstridge — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 17:49:35 GMT

Thanks everyone for your prompt replies!

I have spoken to the owner and let her know we can't do it, which I am very pleased about! She, however, is not so happy but seems to understand the situation.

Cat

Re: Can I dock this dog?

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 17:13:32 GMT

Polite refusal is indicated.

Re: Can I dock this dog?

Rob Davis — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 14:04:20 GMT

I completely agree with the previous posts - I would not contemplate docking this dog. It is of no benefit to the dog, and this does seem a particularly tenuous reason for requesting it. Owner convenience is no reason for performing this type of surgery.

Re: Can I dock this dog?

Vikki Halliday LLB — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 11:39:16 GMT

I was of the understanding that docking could only be carried prophylactically for the welfare of the dog.

I'm maybe alone here, but I'm afraid the dog's tail bruising the children sounds like a very poor excuse. It also has nothing to do with the welfare of the animal.

I would politely suggest that she re-homes the dog if it is causing that much of a problem, (which I have serious doubts that it is).

I would also pose this to Prof Con, as I'm sure if the owner was reported for suspected illegal docking, your name would get dragged in to any investigation.

As I understand if you do decide to dock, the dog must be chipped first, and you must sign a certificate stating exactly why it was done. That I think also must include that it was carried out for the welfare of the animal.

But in short, I wouldn't!

Re: Can I dock this dog?

Hannah Wynne Richards — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 11:37:39 GMT

Don't do it-it's not for a therapeutic reason, so illegal

Wynne