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Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom  Our Pfeiffer has both her tail and her dew claws and we have no problems whatsoever with either. At spay time, I asked my vet her opinion of removing dew claws, and she stated it's really not necessary in the vast majority of dogs, if ever really.
I would be fine if my other 2 had their tails and dews too, honestly.
I wouldn't have a problem if dew removal was banned too if it's cruel to the animal and unnecessary. I understand that some think it's necessary for hunting dogs, and I can't say that it is really true or isn't as I don't have any adequate statistics one way or another. My sister has a hunting dog and his dew claws are intact -- as a physician, she couldn't ethically support the removal of them based upon the purported "benefits" usually given in support of removal.
I see any human preferences or conveniences as secondary when it comes to interventions like this. That's just the way my soul works and what my heart dictates. |
Removal of dew claws
Contrary to some opinion, the removal of dogs' dew claws is not currently illegal under the Animal Welfare Act.
While it is illegal under the mutilations clause of the Act to carry out a prohibited procedure which involves interference with the sensitive tissues or bone structure of a protected animal otherwise than for the purpose of its medical treatment, permitted procedures are listed in the Mutilations (Permitted Procedures) (England) Regulations 2007.
Schedule 1 of the regulations lists the removal of the dew claws of dogs as a permitted procedure. Schedule 9 goes on to clarify that anaesthetic must be administered except where the dog is a puppy whose eyes have not yet opened as per the Veterinary Surgeons Act. Therefore legislation in relation to dewclaws remains unchanged and a layperson or veterinary surgeon may continue to remove the dewclaws of puppies whose eyes have not yet opened.
The Kennel Club's position is that it does not support the cosmetic removal of dew claws. It does recognise however that in certain individual circumstances the removal of dew claws is in the best interests of a dog's welfare.
It should also be noted that there is no requirement within any of the Kennel Club Breed Standards that dew claws must be removed.
Last updated - July 2014
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Removal of dew claws ? The Kennel Club
Allowed FOR NOW in certain circumstances. Further reading, elsewhere, will show that MOST dogs have no problems at all EVER with their dewclaws and that they are actually used as thumbs.
There is a chance that our appendix may burst at some point in our lives. Appendicitis is often FATAL in children. The appendix has NO KNOWN function. Yet, we do not remove the appendix from our 2 day old infant children.
Just saying.