Quebec Bans Tail Docking and Ear Cropping

Quebec's Order of Veterinarians has moved to prohibit certain cosmetic surgeries as of January 2017.

Veterinarians will no longer be able to dock or cut the tails of dogs, cattle or horses for cosmetic reasons. The order also bans ear cropping for cats and dogs because it goes against the principles of ensuring an animal's well-being.

Originally most tail docking and ear cropping was done for practical purposes - often to protect a working animal from injury. Today, most dogs are pets and don't have the same threat of injury and the procedure is often done to meet breed standards, so the surgery is considered cosmetic.

Ear cropping involves cutting off up to two-thirds of the ear flap when the dog is 4-6 months old. It has been banned in many European countries, Australia, New Zealand and Scandinavia.

Tail docking is performed when the puppy is only a few days old. In the process, muscles, tendons, nerves, bone, and cartilage is severed. It has been banned in many countries in Europe as well as Australia. Members of Parliament in the United Kingdom voted to ban tail docking in March 2006, except for working dogs or for medical reasons.

With this move by Quebec to ban cosmetic ear cropping and tail docking, Alberta and Ontario are the only provinces in Canada without legislation outlawing these surgeries.

British Columbia Bans Ear Cropping

British Columbia joins most of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Newfoundland, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia by banning cosmetic ear cropping of dogs. Ear cropping is considered to be an unethical practice and any person that continues to crop ears will receive disciplinary action.

College of Veterinarians of British Columbia’s (CVBC) College Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Larry Odegard said, “Ear cropping is an unnecessary procedure unless carried out in cases of injury or for reasons of health concerns.” There are no known welfare or medical benefits from ear cropping and there are known behavioural consequences; specifically communication with people and other dogs.

Several breed associations are against the ban stating that purebred breeds will not be saved for future generations if their ears were not cropped. Veterinarians and scientists have stated that cosmetic surgery is a human alteration and is unwarranted. Odegard said, “Veterinarians have an ethical responsibility to the animals they treat. Ear cropping goes against that responsibility.” The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) is also against canine cosmetic surgery. The CVMA regularly encourages breed associations to change their breed standards so that cosmetic surgeries no longer occur. In the United Kingdom, dogs with cropped ears are prohibited from competing.

The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ CEO, Craig Daniell said, “For nearly two decades we have been on record opposing procedures such as tail docking, ear cropping, devocalization and declawing that impact an animal’s ability to experience good welfare and to express natural behaviours.”

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CKC Seeks Input Regarding Breed Standard Amendments

The Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) is looking for input from dog owners and breeders regarding proposed breed standard amendments regarding docking, cropping, and dewclaw removal. The breeds included in this amendment are:

• Group 3: Schnauzer (Giant)
• Group 6: Schipperke

To view the details and provide feedback login in to the CKC website using your membership number. The CKC is also willing to mail out the proposed changes. Call 1-800-250-8040 to order a copy. The deadline for comments is July 15, 2015.

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