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Banfield pet hospitals ban tail docking, ear cropping on dogs

Vicki

Administrator
Banfield pet hospitals ban tail docking, ear cropping on dogs
By Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY

Banfield, The Pet Hospital, the nation's largest network of animal hospitals, has announced it will no longer do tail docking, ear cropping or devocalization on dogs.

Headquartered in Portland, Ore., Banfield is the nation's largest general veterinary practice, with more than 730 hospitals and 2,000 veterinarians nationwide.

Devocalization, or de-barking, is a rare procedure and has long been controversial. It involves the full or partial removal of a dog's vocal chords to keep it from barking.

Tail docking and ear cropping, both quite common, have become more controversial over the past few years. Last year, the American Veterinary Medical Association passed a resolution opposing ear cropping and tail docking of dogs, "when done solely for cosmetic purposes," and encouraging the elimination of ear cropping and tail docking from breed standards.

Banfield has come out strongly against the procedures.

"After thoughtful consideration and reviewing medical research, we have determined it is in the best interest of the pets we treat, as well as the overall practice, to discontinue performing these unnecessary cosmetic procedures," says Karen Faunt, vice president for medical quality advancement. "It is our hope that this new medical protocol will help reduce, and eventually eliminate, these cosmetic procedures altogether."
The hospitals will continue to carry out the surgeries on pets for which it is medically necessary, she says.

There have been numerous attempts in several states, most recently Illinois, New York and Vermont, to outlaw the practice of tail docking and ear cropping. The American Kennel Club has fought such laws.

In statements opposing them, the AKC says that "as prescribed in certain breed standards, (they) are acceptable practices integral to defining and preserving breed character, enhancing good health and preventing injuries," and that "any inference that these procedures are cosmetic and unnecessary is a severe mischaracterization that connotes a lack of respect and knowledge of history and the function of purebred dogs."

Gina Spadafori, an editor at the website PetConnection.com, says that tail docking is still fairly common, in part because it's done within days of birth. Ear cropping, which is generally done when the puppy is between 12 and 14 weeks old, is fading, in part because "people are not comfortable seeing their puppies taped up like that."

Both docking and cropping have gone out of fashion in Europe, she says. In the USA, many breeders of show dogs "would happily stop doing it if they thought they could still win in the ring."

Banfield pet hospitals ban tail docking, ear cropping on dogs - USATODAY.com
 

VegasGirl

Active Member
I hate to say it but some dogs just look better with the crop and dock. I can't imagine Rotties without the tail dock or Dobies with natural ears. It gives the breed more character in my opinion.

And not for nothing but I would never get either procedure done at Banfield they are the absolute worst.
 

anyeone

Active Member
I grew up with English Springer Spaniels which always have docked tails, so I'm "used to it" - but I still would be happy if the practice went away. I would venture to guess that most dogs are not actively performing functions for which cropped ears or docked tails actively prevent injury and thus in modern times it is largely for show. For the AKC to say otherwise is silly and IMO disingenuous.

Dewclaws I am torn on (no pun intended) since these can easily get caught on things and injure the dog. My mastiff came with intact dewclaws and his lifestyle will likely be calm enough that it won't be a problem but I can see an argument for removing dewclaws as preventative - not so with tails and ears.

I don't have any experience with Banfield but I expect as with any franchise type operation they probably have some good vets and some bad ones. To be honest I think seeing a large corporation making a decision that will potentially lower their revenue is refreshing.
 

Mongo

Well-Known Member
I hate Banfield! They are just in it for the money!

I have to agree with VegasGirl.... some dogs just dont look right without docking or cropping... and I definitely agree with dewclaws being removed, those get torn out so easiely if the dogs have active life styles. I dont think they should ban it all together, because people will just start doing it themselves and end up hurting the dog more. At least at the vets the dogs are under and dont feel anything.
 

anyeone

Active Member
They only "don't look right" because you are accustomed to seeing them docked. It's not a universal "don't look right".

In the U.S. it "doesn't look right" for women not to shave their legs and pits but in Europe it is the norm. And shaving doesn't even involve mutilation!