NI Welfare of Animals Bill – tail docking exemption for gundogs

1 February 2011

What’s new?

On 1 February 2011 the Northern Ireland Assembly voted to exempt certain breeds of working dogs from a proposed tail docking ban.  The exemption, which BASC lobbied for, is provided in an amendment to the Welfare of Animals Bill and covers spaniels, terriers and any other breeds used for hunting, pointing or retrieving. It also covers any combination of these breeds.

Northern Ireland’s Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development played a key role in securing the exemption. BASC has commended the Committee for its recognition of the need for a tail docking exemption for certain breeds of working dogs.

BASC welcomes NI gundog tail docking exemption

Find out more about the Welfare of Animals Bill

In 2006, the first consultation on animal welfare legislation took place in Northern Ireland, with the main topic of relevance to BASC being a proposed tail docking ban.  In its response to that consultation BASC made a robust case for the continued availability of tail docking for working dogs on welfare grounds. At every stage in the progress of what became the Welfare of Animals Bill BASC continued to lobby for a an exemption for working dogs in the event of a tail docking ban

Last year the Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development called on the public to provide their views on the content of the Welfare of Animals Bill.  BASC submitted its position on various aspects of the Bill.  BASC encouraged all gun dog owners in Northern Ireland to provide their views on the proposed tail docking ban. Following lengthy consideration of all views and evidence, including a presentation from BASC, the committee published its recommendations on changes to the content of the Bill in December.

A key recommendation by the Committee was that an exemption to the tail docking ban was needed for certain breeds of working dogs. The Committee outlined the content of an amendment to the Welfare of Animals Bill that would achieve the recommended exemption. The amendment was subsequently submitted for consideration.  On 1 February 2011 the Northern Ireland Assembly agreed to the tail docking exemption being part of the amended Bill.

Click here to view the Committee’s report on the Welfare of Animals Bill

Click here for an overview of the legislative process to date

Find out more about tail docking

The docking of dog’s tails is a practice which has been carried out for centuries in order to avoid tail damage, for hygiene and other reasons.   In England and Wales vets are allowed to dock the tails of puppies destined to become working dogs. However, a total ban on tail docking took effect in Scotland in 2007 with no exemptions for working dogs. BASC and others are seeking to overturn the total ban, on an evidence based approach.

Click here to find out more about tail docking
 

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