tail docking - what do we do?

Re: tail docking - what do we do?

Pippa Louise — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 19:47:33 GMT

I have found out a lot over the years, I am currently volunteering in a practice as a student ana, however I get to assist the nurses with their day to day jobs. It involves a lot of cleaning and other jobs that some people would find they dont like such as cleaning up sick, faecal matter and other things however I have been subjected as an ana student to a fair amount of stomach turning jobs.

I appreciate the concern, honestly :) however, this is something I have wanted to do since I was a little girl and I may not have much veterinary knowledge (who does when they first start out!) but I have researched this into its fullest depths and I love what I have learned. Obviously the job has its downs such as euthanasia of animals which can be hard on the nurse but a good nurse would take it in their stride. I have partly trained as a childrens nurse aswell.

I haven't taken offence, but I hope I have shown that I haven't just decided one day that I love cute animals and want to be a vet nurse :) x

Re: tail docking - what do we do?

Sal the 1st — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 19:10:06 GMT

[quote user="Pippa Louise Sharp"]

I was intrigued when reading the title of this post as I don't know much about docking and such, however when I read the posts my jaw dropped - I am flabbergasted at the things people do!!!! You should love your animal for what and who they are, not because they look cuter with their ears pricked up or whatever. Ahh I actually feel sickened at the things people do. I love my pooch so much and would never change a thing about him it's just wrong to change things that dont need changing!!!!

Rant over :)

[/quote]

please dont take this the wrong way - I have read some of your other posts about wanting to train as a veterinary nurse. I feel strongly that you need to find out a lot more about this job before commiting to training - I really wouldnt want you to find out too late this job isnt what you expected?

Re: tail docking - what do we do?

Mrs Dot Dot — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 16:34:59 GMT

[quote user="Clair Crowley"]

you are able to report them without breaking client confidentiality. we recently had a 9wk old boxer pup brought in who had been illegally docked 3 days before!!!! the owner had phoned us wanting to book in to have the tail docked but when we refused due to the new legislation she met a bloke in a car park and he took the pup away for half an hour and returned it with a little dressing on what was left of the stump. he told the owner to remove the dressing in 3 days which they did, the vertebrae were exposed and he had docked it so short we thought he would have to be pts as there was very little remaining to surgically close the skin it was absolutely awful. we admitted the pup and were able to sort out the mess that was made without causing nerve damage to anus etc. we informed the RSPCA who investigated but didnt prosecute due to the owners age - they are both in their late 70's. The best bit is the owner doesnt think she has done anything wrong because boxers look stupid with a tail and having them castrated is worse!!!!!

[/quote]

That's shocking! Doesn't matter how old the owners are, what were they thinking? Why do owners hand their pups over to just anyone?

Re: tail docking - what do we do?

kaz84 — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 14:35:31 GMT

im an so glad to say that here in australia, tail docking is illegal. only if it needs to be surgically corrected ie broken it can be docked. However it has taken years to enforce this law after seeing so many puppies/dogs abused to meet breed specific conditions and cosmetic looks. i tell each client who walks through my clinic dooors that owns a breed that use to have its tail dock, that it is fantastic to see a tail, it adds extra charisma and personality to each breed.... soooooo happy :)

oh and any pup that is seen with a dock tail is either reported /by breeder or owners have a serious talking to. just to investigate if we should take it further

Re: tail docking - what do we do?

Pippa Louise — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 12:03:40 GMT

Rant over :)

Re: tail docking - what do we do?

Clair Crowley — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 09:09:09 GMT

Re: tail docking - what do we do?

Jill Nute — Mon, 31 May 2010 19:09:19 GMT

There is an advice note on the RCVS website on the reporting of possible criminal activity, BUT docking is still legal in Ireland & there appears to be a certain amount of traffic to & fro so you cannot assume that an offence has been committed even if docked pups are presented without certificates, at least in England. RCVS has no powers or authority to investigate non members , but will usually liaise with police/trading standards where there is evidence of flouting the VSA by others, altho in one recent case where RCVs reported an alleged criminal offence to the police for investigation the letter that came back from the police said how sorry they were that RCVS appeared to have been the victim of a crime & offered Victim Support counselling , which was not particularly helpful! I will check next week about any queries that RCVS has received over the possible fraudulent use of a practice stamp. Best wishes, Jill

Re: tail docking - what do we do?

Sal the 1st — Mon, 31 May 2010 16:36:21 GMT

i would have thought the police would have been interested? what happens if that stamp is used on a prescription along with a false signature?

and the rcvs? - thought they might be interested in somebody who could be passing their work off as something done by a vet?

RSPCA - possibly not if there is no chance of it going to court

Re: tail docking - what do we do?

Cat Woman — Mon, 31 May 2010 16:18:16 GMT

We had a pup in the other day, docked with papers but no microchip. We contacted the vet whose stamp was on the papers. He does not dock & has never done so. Turns out someone has a copy of his practice stamp with his name, that they are using so they can sell docked pups. He has been in contact with the police/RCVS/RSPCA - not one of them was particularly bothered about following this up!

I really don't know why we bother sometimes!

Re: tail docking - what do we do?

Caro Laithwaite VN — Wed, 26 May 2010 08:30:33 GMT

Your boss needs to go about it the other way. Love the puppy l have friends looking for one where did you get it.. now about breaking the law..

Re: tail docking - what do we do?

Nicola Smith — Wed, 26 May 2010 08:07:27 GMT

I agree this sort of thing needs to be stopped. We have many new owners come in with their docked puppies unaware that it is illegal which our boss makes very clear to them but they then cantr usually remember where they got pup from - funny that!! We also have many docked with papers but not working dogs so this legislation isnt working.

Re: tail docking - what do we do?

Polly P — Tue, 25 May 2010 23:36:02 GMT

I am sure that it can't possibly come under client confidentiality rules...

In abuse cases I don't think there can be any such thing, or the practicewould be complicit/ enabling...

Imagine if someone kept bringing in a dog with wounds where it had been beaten or burnt by the owner... Would you have to keep that quiet too because of the same reason?! Not likely!

Re: tail docking - what do we do?

Leigh Hinsley RVN NCert(BDev) MBVNA — Tue, 25 May 2010 22:55:36 GMT

I'm going to tip them off whatever happens - I can just pretend to be a very clued up owner that spoke to him in the waiting room. I just thought that if people know we're obliged to report them, they'd realise there's no way to get away with it. To top my day off someone the rang and enquired about getting there dogs ears cropped so they stick up - WHAT IS MENTALLY WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE?!

Re: tail docking - what do we do?

Caro Laithwaite VN — Tue, 25 May 2010 22:39:09 GMT

If he has kids then you can report him under animal cruelty and the rcvs will back you as a link has finally been accepted between child and animal cruelty l remember reading about that a few years ago.

Re: tail docking - what do we do?

Fiona Leathers — Tue, 25 May 2010 22:20:49 GMT

What about an anonymous tip off?

Re: tail docking - what do we do?

Gillian Mostyn — Tue, 25 May 2010 22:19:54 GMT

Contact the RCVS for advice - and get that advice in writing.