Docking (animal)

For other uses see dock

For the article relating only to dogs, see Docking (dog)

For punitive and other use on humans, e.g. corporal punishment, see Mutilation

Docking is used as a term for the intentional removal of part of an animal's tail or ears. The term cropping is also used, more commonly in reference to the docking of ears, while docking more commonly—but not exclusively—refers to the tail. The term bobbing is also used.

History of docking and cropping

Originally, most docking was done for practical purposes. For example, a large horse used for hauling large loads might have its tail docked to prevent it from becoming entangled in tow ropes or harnesses; without docking, it could be dangerous to the horse and inconvenient to the owner to tie up the horse's tail for every use. In 18th century Japan, some dogs were classified as 'sawwing doggies'. These dogs would be captured in the foothills surrounding villages, and a Sumo wrestler would use a Samurai sword on the dogs tail and then release it. This was thought to release the animals viscous instincts.

Agricultural practice

Tail docking may be performed on livestock for a variety of reasons.

In the case of domestic pigs, where commercially raised animals are kept in close quarters, tail docking is performed to prevent injury or to prevent animals from chewing or biting each others' tails.

Many breeds of sheep have their tails docked to prevent fly strike.

While tail docking is an effective preventative method in some cases, if it is not carried out correctly it may result in other problems such as rectal prolapse. [1]

Depending on the animal and the culture, docking may be done by cutting (knife or other blade), searing (gas or electically heated searing iron), or constriction methods (rubber rings or other tourniquets).

As with docking of dogs, it has been identified that this practice contributes to masking underlying shortcoming of a breed, which - if docking were not the general practice - would be countered through selective breeding of animals where the tail does not lead to medical problems.

Dogs

For the main article on this subject see Docking (dog)

As with other domesticated animals there is a long history of docking the tails of dogs. It is understood to date at least to the Roman empire.

The usual reason for docking dog breeds is to prevent injury to working dogs. For instance, it has been stated that a vermin's bite to the working dog's flop ears can lead to a systemic infection, a serious medical problem that wouldn't occur were there no flop ears to be bitten.

In hunting dogs, the tail is docked to prevent it from getting cut up as the dog wags its tail in the brush.

This is contested by a wide range of groups and is often considered a form of cruelty and torture. This has led to the practice being outlawed and made illegal throughout many countries, in some of which dogs are no longer bred for work, or used as working animals.