Report of Lawsuit Gives me Another Reason not to Dock Tails
I have written twice on this blog already that I do not perform cosmetic ear cropping or tail docking. You can click here or here for my reasons.
I, like all veterinarians, must carry professional liability insurance in order to practice. My insurance provider sends periodic newsletters that report on veterinary liability lawsuits and insurance claims. Below is an excerpt from the most recent newsletter.
Hunting Pups Left Standing with Short Tails After Miscommunication
Dr. A was presented a litter of ten pups for tail docking. The owner discussed the docking with the technician and asked if the tail dock was going to be one-third. Then, the owner made a hand gesture of space of about one inch. The technician left to confirm with Dr. A that yes, the docking would be “one-third” and then the technician relayed this information to the owner. Dr. A cropped the tails leaving one-third on each pup, which is the show or conformation standard for this breed; however, the owner only intended for one-third of the tail to be removed, which is the field trial standard. The difference of leaving a third of the tail versus only removing a third of the tail was the point of miscommunication. The owner alleged the pups decreased in value from $1200 to $300 each. The owner demanded more than $20,000 for the value of the pups, stud fees, and breeding expenses. Dr. A consented to settle the case and Dr. A’s insurance carrier is working to negotiate a settlement. (Source: AVMA Professional Liability Insurance Trust newsletter, fall 2008)
Tail docking per se wasn’t the cause of Dr. A’s problems in this case. Communication problems were the root source of the lawsuit. Nonetheless, I wonder if Dr. A has ever thought to himself that he could have avoided the misery of this lawsuit if only he didn’t dock tails.
About the photo: “9″, from Connecticut, will meet neither field trial nor show standards. I think he looks good.
You have questions. 
My little rescue boy came with no tail at all. I hate that someone did this to him.
Great post. Glad to hear from a vet that doesn’t do docking. I agree the dog in the picture looks great!
I don’t understand why anyone would want to cut off a dog’s tail or ears. They weren’t born that way, please leave the dogs as God intended.
There may have been legitimate reasons at one time to cut ears or dock tails but to perform either for looks is horrible at best. Would these same individuals cut their children’s ears to achieve a look that they liked? I don’t know why our society condones cutting animals for no reason. Why is there a lower standard for the treatment of these sentient beings?
I live in New Zealand. It’s illegal to crop ears in dogs. I have a friend with two dobermans. They are gorgeous animals with long floppy ears. Not as all the fierce looking animals in other places.
I think that the only time a tail should ever be docked is after a tail is misformed from birth ( if it is bad enough to effect the walking and balance of the animal). I don’t see it as a neccessaty (sp) so much as a cosmetic want.