Shortening of dog's tails

National Consultative Committee on Animal Welfare (NCCAW) Position Statement – August 2008

Shortening of dogs’ tails

The National Consultative Committee on Animal Welfare (NCCAW) supports a ban on the shortening of dogs’ tails for non-therapeutic reasons. The Committee is of the view that tail shortening serves no practical purpose and may compromise the animal's welfare.

NCCAW notes that prior to the advent of the Australia wide ban on the shortening of dogs’ tails for non-therapeutic reasons, a shortened tail was not a requirement of any breed standard recognised by the Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC).

Shortening any dog's tail to treat disease or injury must be performed by a veterinary surgeon using accepted surgical techniques including general anesthetic.

Tail shortening for non-therapeutic reasons is just one of numerous welfare issues affecting dogs.

NCCAW welcomes the opportunity to work with the ANKC and to broaden discussions to consider strategies to address other dog welfare issues.

Definition

For the purpose of the above standards, a veterinary surgeon is someone who is registered as such in the state or territory in which the procedure is performed.