Tail shortening reintroduced for working dogs in Scotland
Dr Tim Parkin of the School of Veterinary Medicine (SoVM) recently gave evidence to the Scottish Parliament on the issue of tail shortening in working dogs. Since 2007, the 
practice of docking the tails of puppies has been banned. In 2010, the Scottish Government commissioned Dr Parkin and Professor David Bennett (also of the SoVM) to examine if there was evidence of increased risk of tail injury in working dogs since 2007. Their conclusions were used to frame the new legislation which came into force in June. The legislation allows vets to shorten the tails of Spaniel or Hunt Point Retriever puppies before 5 days of age, if the owner/breeder of the puppies can confirm that they are likely to go into work as an adult.
First published: 1 August 2017
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