Ethics of Tail Docking ….. or no tail to tell. Heather Grady

Objectives  To explore the issues surrounding an ethical problem using tail docking as a model.  To discuss the issues around tail docking.

Ethics = moral principles, rules (personal or imposed) and standards of conduct.

When examining an ethical issue it is essential not to become anthropomorphic but to have empathy.

Anthropomorphic = giving human attributes to an animal, or to the animal's experiences or perceptions.

Empathy = feeling of concern and understanding for an animals situation.

But we have always done it that way….. ….is never an acceptable response. ….this was the reason given to justify:  slavery.  women not getting the vote.  allowing men to hit their wives.

What do you think about tail docking in: 1.Dogs? 2.Cattle? 3.Sheep?

Why does the species involved affect our views on the same procedure?

When considering an ethical issue we need to consider:  the animal.  Gains for:  the owner/handler etc.  society.  Options for achieving the same gains.  Costs for:  the animal.  the owner/handler etc.  society.

Discuss: Dogs Gains Costs Animal Owner Society Other ways to get gain? Cattle Gains Costs Animal Owner Society Other ways to get gain? Sheep Gains Costs Animal Owner Society Other ways to get gain?

Dogs Gains Costs Animal Owner Society Other ways to get gain?

Dogs - gains A avoids injury (hunting, hitting objects). O meets breed requirements. O looks good/right. S Avoid by: changing breed requirements

Dogs - costs A pain and stress. O financial cost. O possibly injure dog. S O possibly alter relationship with dog. A possible complications eg infections or A inability to use tail signals. rectal prolapse. A unable to use tail for balance.

Cattle Gains Costs Animal Owner Society Other ways to get gain?

Cattle - gains A O no tail flicked in face. O less risk from leptospirosis. S less cost from leptospirosis illness. tying tail back vaccinate Avoid by: wash or trim tail

Cattle - costs A pain and stress. O financial cost. O possibly injure animal. S possible market backlash. O possibly harder to handle/yard. A possible complications eg infections or A inability to use tail to switch flies away. rectal prolapse. O lower production when bothered by flies.

Sheep Gains Costs Animal Owner Society Other ways to get gain?

Sheep - gains Aless chance of flystrike – illness or death. O less animal and financial loss from flystrike. O greater productivity from better health. S better farm economy. better husbandry Aless dags. O better wool from less dags. breed short tailed sheep Avoid by:

Sheep - costs A pain and stress. O financial cost. O possibly injure animal. S possible market backlash. O possibly harder to handle/yard. A possible complications eg infections or A inability to use tail to switch flies away. A inability for ewe to fan tail with oestrous. rectal prolapse.

Culture affects a persons ethical stance.

Consider how the following may influence views on tail docking:  vegetarian.  Hindu (cows are sacred).  farming in a third world country.  culture where dogs are eaten.  having a pet cow/sheep.  contracted leptospirosis.  breeder of a dog breed traditionally docked.

How can cost to the animal be measured?  Behaviour (vocalisation, pulling away etc).  Cortisol levels.  Aversion to yards etc.  Increased heart rate and blood pressure.

The method of tail docking influences the cost to the animal.

Methods of tail docking?  List these.  For each, describe the cost to the animal:  at the time of docking.  during recovery from the procedure. intensity and duration of pain & stress.  For each, describe the cost to the owner:  time, labour and money.

Tail Docking Procedures  rubber ring.  cold knife, scissors or nail clippers.  docking iron - hot knife. With or without pain relief  analgesics.  local anaesthetics.  general anaesthetics.  epidural.  crushing.

Future methods of tail docking?  Rubber rings soaked in local anaesthetic.

The age of the animal when tail docked influences the cost to the animal.

What is the best age for tail docking to occur in each species?  Explain the reasons for your choices.  Can a neonate feel pain?  Effect on bonding and getting colostrum.  Stressed by handling?  Size of tail. Neonatal development – puppy vs lamb/calf.

Other procedures done when the tail is docked influences the cost to the animal.

What other procedures may be undertaken when tail docking is done in each species?  How costly is each of these to the animal?  vaccination  weighing.  castration.  worming. - helps prevents wound infection.

A client asks for a legal tail docking procedure that the vet feels is unethical.  What are the possible consequences if  to do the procedure?  not to do the procedure? What options does the vet have chosing not to do the procedure? the vet choses:

A vet asks you to assist with a legal tail docking procedure that you feel is unethical.  What are the possible consequences if  to assist with the procedure?  not to assist with the procedure? What options do you have if you chose not to do the procedure? you chose:

If you think change is needed how can change be effected?  Communication.  Talking, newsletters, articles.  Culture change.  Change from within, stick to guns.  Changes to the law.  Science.  Pain research, new techniques.  Information based on science.

Code of welfare of dogs:  Tail docking of dogs is not recommended Legislation in the house:  Proposed to make tail docking of dogs a  Only vets will be allowed to dock dogs and only when medically required. unless required for medical reasons. restricted procedure.

Code of welfare of painful husbandry Cattle:  Only consider if persistent compromised  Only remove last 2-3 vertebrae using a rubber ring. Either let tail drop off or cut below ring 7 days or more.  Otherwise done by vet. hygeine.

Code of welfare of painful husbandry Sheep:  Only undertaken when significant risk of  Prefer under 6 weeks but must be under 6 months if no pain relief used.  Over 6 months must use pain relief.  Keep long enough to cover vulva. Similar length in males. ill health eg flystrike and/or failing to dock adds to cost of farming.

The End of the Tail