ALL DOG OWNERS MUST BE AWARE AND ACT NOW

TAIL DOCKING

Although it is hard to understand what it is about for a layperson, all dog owners must be aware and act now.

Please be advised of the amendment to WA legislation in relation to tail docking.
Western Australia amended their Animal Welfare (General) Regulations 2003 on 16 March 2010 in relation to tail docking. This amendment removed any reference to prophylactic docking bringing them in line with all other Australian jurisdictions in only allowing therapeutic docking of dogs’ tails. This effectively closes any loophole for Victorian breeders to send bitches to whelp in WA and have the litter tail docked there for prophylactic reasons. Where a pup or dog is docked for therapeutic reasons by a veterinarian, members are advised to obtain a written statement or report which contains the microchip number of the animal docked, the reason the procedure was done as well as the name and signature of the veterinarian who performed the operation as evidence that the animal was docked legally.

Please find below the new wording of the Western Australian legislation in relation to tail docking below.
14. Further offences (s. 94) — tail docking

(1) In this regulation tail docking means the removal of one or more of the coccygeal
vertebrae, whether by cutting, ablation, elastration or any other means.

(2) A person who is not a registered veterinary surgeon shall not carry out tail docking of a
dog.

Penalty: $2 000.

(3) A registered veterinary surgeon shall not carry out tail docking of a dog except where the tail docking is clinically indicated for the purpose of curing or alleviating a disease or injury from which the dog suffers.

Penalty: $2 000.

[Regulation 14 amended in Gazette 16 Mar 2010 p. 978.]