Tail Docking and Ear Cropping of Dogs are Punishable Offence: AWBI

Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) asks The Veterinary Council of India (VCI) and Kennel Clubs to stop promoting this cruel practice with immediate effect
  
Acting on a petition by Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organizations (FIAPO), the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) has issued an advisory stating that non- therapeutic tail docking and cropping of ears amounts to mutilation and constitutes cruelty to animals and is a punishable offence as per the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.


The statutory body has directed the veterinary council of India to stop promoting this cruel practice and has asked the Kennel Clubs not to register dogs whose tails have been docked and ears clipped. Tails and ears of 2-5 days old pups of certain breeds such as Boxer, Doberman, Cocker Spaniel, Great Danes etc are cut. Tails of dogs have many useful functions, including maintaining balance and body language. If a tail were not useful to a dog, natural selection would have eliminated it long ago. The fact is that, with very rare exceptions, most breeds of dogs are born with tails. There is considerable scientific evidence that docking can lead to complications, including death of the pup.
  
Globally, in many countries like Australia, England, France, Netherlands, South Africa and several others, cosmetic docking of tails or cropping ears of dogs is banned. In England and Wales, ear cropping is illegal, and no dog with cropped ears can take part in any Kennel Club event.
 
We appreciate alertness of Snehal Bhavsar of FIAPO member organization- Gujrat SPCA who brought this issue to our notice. The advisory would not have been in its present shape without persuasion by FIAPO chairperson- Dr. Chinny Krishna (Blue Cross of India ) , FIAPO trusteeNorma Alvares (PFA Goa) and FIAPO Governing board member- Ms.Anjali Sharma (NOIDA SPCA) who continuously pushed the matter with Animal Welfare Board of India chairperson. We highly value sensitivity shown by the AWBI chairperson Gen. R.M.Kharb. A big thanks to our volunteers Helen Christy and Mridu Minocha who gathered information on the antiquated practices and helped us to prepare strong arguments in this case.
  
This advisory is a significant step forward, which will not only save pups from cosmetic surgeries but will provide AWOs, SPCAs and animal activists the necessary tool for bringing the perpetrators of this practice to book. However, for this advisory to be effective will require AWOs, SPCAs and animal activists to gear up and initiate action against individuals who continue to indulge in these practices. The actions that you as a concerned citizen can take are described below.

How can you help?
Your role will be to spread this news rapidly and extensively with a wider audience such as vets, kennel clubs, animal welfare organizations, media people, animal lovers and general public so that they know about the truth behind cutting tails and ears of 2-5 day old pups. Share this with:

1. Media people so that it reaches wider audience
   
2. Post it on animal related blogs/ websites
   
3. Share on facebook page/ twitter accounts
   
4. Personally, share this with pet owners, animal lovers, friends and family
   
5. Print  copy and give to your local veterinarian
6. Print a copy or forward it to the local SPCA and request them to display it for public to read

If you still find someone continuing to dock tails and/or crop ears, here is what you can do:

1. File a written complaint against the veterinarian, if you know who he/she is, with Veterinary Council of India at  [email protected] ; 011-26184149, 011-26184354. Additionally, AWBI can be informed at  [email protected] , so that the AWBI can take up the issue with the Veterinary Council.
2. Lodge a complaint at the nearest police station, either individually, or through an AWO / SPCA under Sections 428, & 429 of the Indian Penal Code (Section 428, 429, IPC: Mischief by killing or maiming animal ) . Show them the copy of AWBI circular (attached) where tail docking and ear cropping is notified as cruelty to pups.
3. In the case of extremely obstinate, unreasonable persons who do not see reason, file a complaint in Court under Section 11 of the PCA, preferably through an AWO / SPCA."

Please contact Khushboo Gupta ( [email protected] ) for any clarification or help. Please see below a note on what’s wrong with tail docking and ear cropping.
There is a need for all of us to act as crusaders for animal reforms in India and it will only be possible by putting in joint effort to implement such progressive orders in our individual capacities.Every effort counts and every action will help little pups to escape mutilation!
Click  here to know what's wrong with tail docking and ear cropping?
!! FINALLY ALL DOGS WILL BE ABLE TO WAG THEIR TAILS !!