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Scotland urged to stand firm on tail docking ban
Boxer dog on beach with tail docked
"We have carefully considered all the evidence and remain convinced that tail docking in dogs is detrimental to animal welfare."
BVA urges Scottish Government to resist lobbying to reinstate the practice

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has warned the Scottish Government about the welfare detriment involved in tail docking dogs.

Speaking at the BVA's annual Scottish dinner, BVA's president John Blackwell praised Scotland for leading the way in many areas of animal welfare, but urged the Scottish Government to resist lobbying to reinstate the practice of tail docking in the country:

“While BVA and BVA Scottish Branch welcome all these positive steps and the clear leadership the Scottish Government has shown on many issues, we would also advise that we need to be careful not to lose ground already gained. Tail docking of dogs is one of the areas where we need to be watchful.

"I would like to take this opportunity to remind the Cabinet Secretary that both BVA and BVA Scottish Branch are against tail docking of dogs. We have carefully considered all the evidence and remain convinced that tail docking in dogs is detrimental to animal welfare. This mutilation has no place in a modern, forward thinking society and I would urge him to resist lobbying by other groups to reverse the Scottish Government’s position on this.”

Scotland was praised for its high standards of welfare at slaughter, having very little non-stun slaughter. However, Mr Blackwell warned that challenges still remain - such as the lack of cow sow slaughter facilities in Scotland  - and that the country needed to ensure that the amount of non-stun slaughter did not rise:

"Animal welfare means welfare throughout an animal’s entire life, whatever their relationship to humans. It is particularly important to vets who work with livestock that the animals we breed for consumption are humanely treated throughout their lives including their death. Having reached well over 100,000 signatures for our petition to end non-stun slaughter, we will continue to pursue this with all UK governments.
 
“Scotland leads the way again with non-stun slaughter, having only a very small amount of non-stun slaughter in the poultry sector. Even though very small, we would like to see an end to this. But whilst it is allowed in Scotland under the derogation, we wish to see refinement and an acceptance of reversible head-only stunning in poultry alongside a balancing of supply and demand for those communities requiring non-stun products and labelling to allow informed choice by those who don’t."
 

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.