For more informatin on the status of Tail Docking
in South Africa,
CLICK
HERE to visit the website for the Docked Breeds Association
of South Africa
KUSA Stance on Tail Docking
KUSA Statement to members regarding the S.A. Veterinary
Council (SAVC) stance on tail docking
1.KUSA has taken note of communications by way
of written documents and newsletters from the various parties involved
in all aspects of tail docking and, drawing from the available information
and without detracting from the various communications, provides
the following information for its members.
2.The Veterinary Act established the SAVC and empowered
it to make rules regulating the veterinary profession and, in terms
of Section 30(3) of the Veterinary Act, any rule made by the SAVC
will not be of any force and effect until such time as the Minister
has approved the rule and it has been published in the government
gazette by the Registrar (of the SAVC).
3. A thorough search of the government gazettes
since the 2nd June, 2006 resolution taken by the SAVC to declare
tail docking an unethical procedure for veterinarians has revealed
no Ministerial notice confirming the approval of this resolution
and the KUSA’s legal advice confirms that Ministerial approval
is required in terms of Section 30 of the Veterinary and Para-veterinary
Professionals Act, 1982.
4.KUSA’s point of view is that humane veterinary
procedures must remain available to all dog owners at all times
for any treatment the owner or breeder deems necessary and the KUSA
supports the right of choice for the individual, be it breeder,
dog owner or practicing veterinarian.
Article on Tail Docking in the Herald
Docking dogs neither illegal nor cruel, say breeders
Rochelle de Kock HERALD REPORTER
THE Docked Breeds Association of SA has slammed
reports that tail-docking is an unlawful act which could lead to
imprisonment, and insists that it cannot be labelled an act of cruelty
if the correct procedures are followed.
The news comes amid warnings issued by animal welfare authorities
last month that they would reprimand anyone found docking a dog‘s
tail.
Helmut Redtenbacher, chairman of the Doberman Club in Pretoria,
said the SA Veterinary Council was trying to intimidate and frighten
vets by saying that they might be found guilty under the Animal
Protection Act if they were found docking tails.
“There hasn‘t been a court ruling to say that tail-docking
is cruel; the SPCA is trying to say that it is cruel,” Redtenbacher
said.
“The Veterinary Council is trying to create the impression
that it‘s illegal to dock a dog‘s tail, whereas it‘s
not because any rule made by the council must be approved by the
Minister of Agriculture and it must be published in the Government
Gazette,” he said.
Redtenbacher accused the Veterinary Council of trying to make its
own laws.
Meanwhile the National Council of SPCAs said it believed the Animal
Protection Act would be violated if breeders continued to dock the
animals themselves.
Previously, Port Elizabeth Animal Anti-Cruelty League spokesman
Linda-Louise Swain said: “It is against the law to dock tails.
We will educate people and severely reprimand anyone found docking
a dog‘s tail.”
She said this after a four-month-old puppy was removed from its
home in Nelson Mandela Bay‘s Jacksonville because its tail
was beginning to rot after being bound with elastic.
In Port Elizabeth, Donné Lucas, of the Docked Breeds Association
of SA, was adamant that vets could not be prosecuted if they were
found docking dogs‘ tails.
“It‘s the same thing as having your ear pierced. If
the correct procedure is followed and it‘s done when the dog
is three to five days old, it is not cruel because they don‘t
feel anything,” Lucas said.
National Council of SPCAs spokesman Christine Kuch said the Veterinary
Council had not said tail- docking was unlawful, but rather that
it would not condone vets docking tails any longer.
“People who do it themselves will be prosecuted, and if they
are convicted under the Animal Protection Act, it could lead to
imprisonment,” she said.
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