Here's the lead article from the "Rott N Chatter" September 1992, Volume 1

Number 2.

 

                            THE TALE OF THE TAIL

 

     The AMERICAN VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION is taking steps to pressure

the American Kennel Club into adopting similar ear cropping restrictions

found in the United Kingdom by restricting the showing of dogs with cropped

ears, next the AVMA plans to address the docking of tails.  The British

Kennel Club prohibits the showing of dogs with cropped ears, but a dog with

a docked tail may still compete in the ring.  How is the practice of tail

docking going to be stopped in the United Kingdom?  Well, effective June

1993, tail docking will be restricted to veterinary surgeons.  You say

breeders will just have to take their dogs to a veterinarian.  Guess again

folks......"at the same time the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons will

declare tail docking unethical in its Guide to Professional Conduct."  Back-

door tactics, if you ask me.

     THE FIRST STEP IS ALREADY UNDERWAY...........

     The AVMA sent a letter dated July 14, 1992, to the AKC requesting that

a stronger position be taken on ear cropping.

     Though the letter to the AKC did not specifically mention tail docking,

an enclosed copy of their article published in the Journal of Animal

Veterinary Medicine Association, Vol 200, No. 11, June 1, 1992, clearly

includes docking as the next procedure to be outlawed.

     The title of the JAVMA article is "Confronting Cosmetic Surgery:

cropping and docking not clear-cut issues".  It is a question/answer format

with pro/con opinions pertaining to the "cosmetic only" practice of ear

cropping and tail docking.  It clearly states that the projected plan, if

taken step by step will ulitmately result in the cessation of ALL such

surgeries in the near future.

   It is suggested that the AKC and other breed associations DELETE

metioning trimmed or cropped ears in the breed standards and then prohibit

the showing of any dog with trimmed or cropped ears after a specific date.

The suggestion goes on to state that "...if the breed associations would be

responsive, then the AVMA also would consider recommending the elimination

of docked tails from the breed standards."  ... and so it goes....

   The AKC sent to parent clubs of breeds with cropped ears copies of the

letter from the AVMA, the article in the JAVMA, along with two sample

letters (one pro, one con).  They write in their letter that they ARE

planning to formulate a policy on ear cropping.

     I am sure you are all aware of the fact that the animal rights

organizations refer to tail docking and ear cropping as procedures that are

"curel and painful mutilations for cosmetic purposes only".  Isn't it

strange that these articles have also been distributed to these same animal

rights groups?  Now that I've mentioned 'the unmentionable groups', 'tis an

odd coincidence that the AKC mentions getting a dramatic increase recently

in the number of letters and telephone calls protesting tail docking and ear

cropping.  These groups are growing in numbers and it must be realized that

they have lots of money and powerful lobbyists.  FOLKS....we can no longer

stick our heads in the sand!

 

     One final note, I personally find it very upsetting that only the

opinions from SELECTED organizations are considered in making decisions for

OUR dogs, while we, who own and spend millions in caring for them, remain

mute.

                                                          jan