In response to the tail-docking (amputation) requirements for certain breeds in the Westminster Kennel Club’s (WKC) internationally promoted annual dog show, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has filed a complaint with New York officials against the club, alleging criminal violations of the state’s anti-cruelty law, which prohibits unjustified mutilations of animals.

Both the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Animal Hospital Association acknowledge that tail-docking (amputation) causes dogs pain and distress, as well as posing the risk of such medical complications as hemorrhaging and infection. And the legal community is taking notice of the cruelty of such conduct as well. Just last year, several appellate justices on the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, stated that mutilating dogs by docking their tails is not justified simply for cosmetic show purposes.

Puppies are normally just a few days old when their tails are docked. They are generally not even given any anesthetics to numb the pain of having their tails cut off. Compassionate veterinarians object to the arbitrary removal of body parts used for communication, balance, and expression. Dogs “talk” to their human companions and other dogs using their tails (e.g., thumping to indicate submission or pleasure, held between the legs when afraid, various forms of wagging for happiness, greetings, and warnings, etc.).

There is simply no justification for medically unnecessary procedures that simply perpetuate the image that dogs are fashion accessories. New York law prohibits unjustified mutilation or injuring of animals. Causing pain and trauma by amputating body parts solely for cosmetic purposes represents the most superficial of values and cannot be justified by a compassionate society.

What You Can Do

Please contact the following people and urge them to take action on PETA’s complaint so that the cruel practice of unjustified mutilation will stop:

The Honorable Michael Bloomberg
Mayor of New York
City Hall
New York, NY 10007
212-NEW-YORK
http://nyc.gov/html/mail/html/mayor.html

The Honorable Robert M. Morgenthau
District Attorney of New York County
One Hogan Pl.
New York, NY 10013
212-335-9000

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