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Cropping Ears and Docking Tails The Natural Dog Back to Top Through genetic manipulation, we have created dogs as small as two pounds to dogs weighing 200 pounds. We have long-haired dogs, short-haired dogs, and hairless dogs. Then we have dogs with their snouts elongated and those with their snouts smashed in. We have altered the natural dog, making him or her into a designer original to suit our tastes. Two expressive areas of a dog’s visage are his or her ears and tails. Often, a dog undergoes ear cropping and tail docking surgeries to meet a specific standard or to make the dog appear larger and menacing. Cosmetic and breed standards are not acceptable reasons to crop ears or dock tails. Expressive Ears Back to Top Altering a dog’s ears changes the appearance of the dog. It also changes how the dog uses his or her ears, which are sometimes as active as tails when it comes to canine communication. Neither should be tampered with unless there is a medically sound reason to do so. Ear cropping is typically done around 10-14 weeks of age under anesthesia. After that age, ear cropping is not recommended as the ear cartilage is less flexible. Tissue is cut away from the ears in such a way as to make them stand upright rather than flop down. To maintain that upright posture, the ears are taped to splints and then bandaged for a period of time so they will stand upright. As with any surgery, problems can occur with ear cropping. If the splints are not left on long enough or if the puppy damages them in some way, the puppy’s ears may have to be re-splinted and re-bandaged. Ear cropping typically is done to make the dog look larger and more menacing. Talented Tails Back to Top Unlike Marie Antoinette’s edict, which had dire consequences, when dog owners say, “Off with their tails,” the dogs at least are still alive. Yet, cutting off their tails alters their ability to communicate because tails are an expressive part of dogs. Tail docking typically takes place on three- to five-day-old puppies. No anesthesia is involved. A rubber band is placed over the base of the tail, cutting off the blood supply to the tail, which falls off within three days. Or, a veterinarian simply cuts the tail with surgical scissors. Usually no stitches are used. The process involves the severing of skin, nerve, cartilage, and bone. If older than five days, tail docking should not be performed until the puppy is able to handle anesthesia as the surgery becomes more involved. Complications of such a surgery are bleeding, scarring, and removal of stitches by the puppy. Later in life, the dog may experience pain due to the formation of nerve scar tissue in the stump. Proponents of tail docking say it is for safety and hygiene reasons. For example, some hunting dogs may find their tail being bruised or caught in shrubs as they chase their prey. Long-haired dogs, such as Old English Sheepdogs and Yorkshire Terriers, can get smelly butts. However, most of the breeds traditionally docked are house dogs and are not out coursing through brambles to find prey. And for those with hairy hind quarters, a bit of grooming on a daily basis takes care of any odor. Of course, some breeds have their tails docked simply to meet an artificial standard. Tail docking is also done to avoid injuries when dogs fight. Regardless of the fact that the “sport” of dog fighting is illegal in all 50 states and the The Last Word Back to Top The American Kennel Club’s position on ear cropping and tail docking is that these are “acceptable practices integral to defining and preserving breed character and/or enhancing good health.” However, the American Veterinary Medical Association opposes ear cropping and tail docking when done solely for cosmetic purposes and encourages the elimination of both from breed standards. Tails are used for balance on land and as rudders in water. Three-legged dogs often use their tails to maintain their balance as they walk. Tails show fear when tucked between the legs or happiness, wagging from side to side. They convey playfulness and caution. Dogs use their tails and ears to express themselves. Altering either for cosmetic purposes is inappropriate. Some farmed animals also have their tails docked for convenience. Dairy cows have their tails amputated to make milking easier. However, cows are left with no way to swish flies or other insects off their body if they do not have tails. Sheep raised for wool often have their tails docked to make it easier for them to be shorn. Pigs’ tails are docked to prevent cannibalistic behavior, which only exists as a result of the confined spaces in which they are housed. No anesthesia is used in any case. Just as with dog tails, cows, sheep, pigs, and all other animals’ tails should remain part of their bodies. They should never be removed for human convenience but only when medically necessary. Take Action to Eliminate Unnecessary and Inhumane Surgeries What can you do to protect companion animals from unnecessary and inhumane surgeries? First, educate yourself and others on the topic of tail docking and ear cropping. Other humane actions include:
December 2009 Back to Top |