Pet Positive: OZY Readers Weigh In

Tail docking and ear cropping absolutely should be banned. I have a rescue rottie with a tail that had been docked all the way to his butt. He had no nub and it was terrible. I believe that’s why he couldn’t swim — he would sink — and was more aggressive than our other rotties. Thank you for writing this article. It’s so important for people to realize how this is affecting these innocent animals with no voice.

Tammy P.

Thank you for this article. I first encountered the disgrace of animal cropping as a child reading the children's classic “Black Beauty” by Anna Sewell. As an animal lover from the age of 3, I read and re-read this book, and highly recommend it for developing sensitivity about the humane treatment of animals, which may foster the humane treatment of all people as well. I feel bad every time I see my little rat terrier attempting to wag the tiny stump of his tail, and he certainly cannot tuck it between his legs when he is fearful. He is the only one of my five current dogs to display anxiety toward other people. I have raised, trained, shown, rescued and fostered multiple dogs over the years, usually several at a time, but he is the only one that came to me with a cropped tail and the only one who is shy and fearful around people outside his immediate family.

DuBose F., Lafayette, California

The U.S. should definitely follow other countries in banning such abuses as docking tails, cropping ears or declawing. We put too high a price on what we want and not enough price on the effects of our actions. The AKC not only supports this abuse, it also supports the breeding of dogs for specific looks — a practice which has led to ongoing health issues. I think this is also animal cruelty. And people keep buying these dogs or demanding a certain look, which perpetuates the problem. Very little concern for the animal, and too much concern for a certain look!

Marian K.-D., Schenectady, New York

Tail docking and ear cropping are based on a lack of respect for current knowledge and science. The AKC should look at other, better-informed jurisdictions and update its so-called standards.

Frank D., Oakville, Ontario

It should be noted that the AKC supports language in breed standards that includes natural ears and tails. I am an AKC Breeder of Merit and have been breeding Australian terriers for over 30 years. The Australian Terrier Club of America has changed the breed standard to accept natural tails, and undocked aussies are now being shown. Some breeders have voluntarily changed their breed standard. We are moving in the right direction, albeit slowly.

Susan D., Bloomington, Illinois

on The Carlos Watson Show!

Which country has the most pet birds in Europe? Write to us with your answers at [email protected]. We’ll share the answer and callouts to those who get it right in an upcoming Daily Dose!

We previously asked the following trivia question: Which is the oldest-known treatise that refers to the use of medical cannabis? The answer is the Egyptian Ramasseum III papyrus, dating to the 18th century B.C.

Animals suffer. Let’s extend the love, care and empathy to animals as we would to our fellow man.

Mauricio Q., Seal Beach, California

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