NO, the decision to dock or crop isn't a cruel one, I don't think. I mean, she wouldn't be in any more pain that she would be for a Ovarian-Hysterectomy (spay) I'd imagine. There are MANY more major blood vessles and nerves in that entire abdominal area than there are in a dew claw (often times there is only a small blood supply to the toe and there isn't even a knuckle present) and in the tail.
I agree that PREFERABLY it be done just a few days after birth, but if not, there's no reason imo to subject them to it if you choose to. And I'm not willing to get into the great debate over to spay/not to spay w/ anyone right now. With the way I've been acting the past day or two (pregnancy hormones?) I just know I'll read something wrong and snap. Since I don't agree w/ spaying/neutering for my own dogs until they're at least 16 months of age, this point is mute anyway (some people would suggest to have this procedure done at the same time of the spay). I just wait until they need to go in for deciduous teeth extraction and if that's not needed, then I'll do it when they weigh a little more and it's safer to put them under.
Don't feel bad if you choose to do a procedure that is considered "unneccesary" to some. |