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Scotland to consult on existing ban to tail docking
Springer spaniel
Stakeholders are calling to a change to the ban which would see a specific exemption for certain working dogs.

Consultation to consider exemption for certain working dogs

A consultation on whether to introduce a tightly defined exemption regime to the existing ban on tail docking of dogs will be published early next year, the Scottish Government has announced.

There has been a ban on tail docking in Scotland since April 2007.  Since its introduction, many stakeholders have called for changes to the ban, which would see a specific exemption for certain working dogs, namely hunt point retrievers and spaniels.

Stakeholders also say that a change would also allow vets to use their professional judgement to decide whether tail docking is in the best interest of the puppy in these circumstances.

The consultation follows a study carried out by Glasgow University which showed that docking the tails of some working breeds by a third when they are puppies, may significantly decrease their risk of injury as a working adult.

In a statement, rural affairs secretary Richard Lochhead said: “Scotland has a fantastic reputation for its animal welfare record and has some of the highest welfare standards in the world.

“But the issue of tail docking is one that divides opinion because nobody wants to see a dog suffer avoidable harm at any point in its life. Despite the ban on tail docking being in place since 2007, some stakeholders have continued to make the case to me that it is possible to bring forward a tightly defined exemption to the ban that would permit certain breeds of working dogs to be docked.

“I think it is therefore right that the Government hears the views of all those with an interest on how any proposed exemptions for specific breeds – likely to be Spaniels and Hunt Point Retrievers - could work in practice.

“The consultation will therefore give everyone a chance to have their say and help inform us the best way to take this issue forward."

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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. 

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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.