Media Releases

Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association bans cruel tail docking procedures

WINNIPEG—Animal Justice applauds the Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA) for its compassionate and science-based decision to ban members from performing cosmetic tail docking procedures on dogs. Amputating dogs’ tails in the name of “breed standards” is a painful and unnecessary practice banned by an increasing number of veterinary associations, Canadian provinces, and jurisdictions around the world.

In addition to causing excruciating pain, tail docking also puts dogs at risk of serious and painful complications. Tail docking is now added to the list of cosmetic mutilations that MVMA members are prohibited from performing, including cropping the ears of dogs and declawing cats. Unfortunately, some dog breeders perform tail docking themselves, making it important for the province to amend The Animal Care Act to reflect the MVMA’s strong and progressive rules. 

“The MVMA should be applauded for this strong and progressive decision to prioritize the health and well-being of dogs,” said Kaitlyn Mitchell, Winnipeg-based lawyer and director of legal advocacy with Animal Justice. “Dogs’ bodies should not be mutilated for human aesthetic preferences. We urge the province to follow the MVMA’s lead and ban all cosmetic mutilations of animals.”

Jurisdictions around the world, including the United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa, and many European countries have banned cosmetic tail docking of dogs, a position supported by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association. In Canada, it’s now illegal to crop dogs’ ears and tails in Quebec, PEI, and Nova Scotia. In addition to Manitoba, veterinary associations in British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec, PEI, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and New Brunswick also prohibit vets from performing cosmetic mutilations including docking the tails of dogs and declawing cats.

Though banning veterinarians from docking dogs’ tails is a major step forward, some dog breeders perform tail docking of young puppies themselves so that their appearance reflects so-called “breed standards”. Banning cosmetic mutilations such as tail docking under Manitoba’s Animal Care Act would ensure all animals are protected from these unnecessary and painful procedures, even when they are performed by individuals who are not veterinarians.

Contact:

Josh Lynn
Public Relations Manager
[email protected]

Kaitlyn Mitchell
Director of Legal Advocacy
[email protected]