Veterinarians in Alberta Canada overwhelmingly passed a ban on elective surgeries such as tail docking, declawing and ear cropping.
The measure was passed during a vote taken at a meeting of the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (ABVMA). Around 300 members voted on the measure with 98% voting to approve it.
The ban includes what the vets deem to be medically unnecessary surgeries. This list includes:
- Talk docking, nicking and blocking
- Ear cropping
- Front dewclaw removal
- Partial digital amputations
- Tendonectomies
- Body piercing
- Tattooing
- Devocalization
- Cosmetic dentistry
Many of these procedures have been used by breeders and certain animal groups for a long time. And the groups are not happy about the new ban. They argue that it?s taking away their freedom to decide what?s best for their breed.
They also say that the new rules will lead some breeders to do these procedures on their own instead of getting a qualified medical professional to perform them.
However, members of the ABVMA disagree. They say that there is no scientific justification for conducting such procedures. And that these purely elective procedures are cruel and cause pain and distress to the animals.
A member of the Calgary Humane Society agreed with the decision. She told a reporter that the Humane Society sees a number of bad outcomes from cosmetic surgeries performed on animals and echoed the assessment of the vets that these procedures cause unnecessary pain and suffering.
While the resolution is not officially the law yet (it has been sent to the government for further action), a spokesperson for the ABVMA said vets who perform these procedures will be subject to disciplinary action.
How do you feel about this resolution? Do you think the vets did the right thing or do you think breeders should have the freedom to do these traditionally performed procedures on animals? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
