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marianna · 01-05-2005, 05:34 AM

i have a very hard time understanding how one can justify mutilation on dogs/cats/etc. based on esthetical values, convenience (de-clawing cats for example) or just because it is standard and "the thing to do". I guess being from sweden makes you sheltered to these problems, we've always been extremely progressive when it comes to issues of cruelty and i think we banned any sort of interference with the natural traits of animals a while back (docking the tail was banned about 15 years ago if i recall the facts correct).

i know banning these issues in the US is a lot harder most likely, comparing the size of the country, the amount of breeders etc. but i just can not believe how even the nicest, most ethical people in the US are willing to do this to their beloved pets. i was born in the states and also lived there for a while in highschool and was shocked to find out how the people i would least expect to do these things to their animals actually went through with it..

the idea of docking the tail or cropping ears because it looks nicer is just a mindset, if you live somewhere where it has been banned for a longer period of time you would come to think of the animal's traits that are unwanted right now in the same way you would view the docked tail for shows, as being the standard and a beautiful thing. and a thing which plays a heavy part in judging the dog.

i certainly do not mean to offend anyone or start a heated debate or anything, i just wanted to share how some european countries view this issue. i've read docking the tail is not as painful as cropping the ears, but i just can not rationalize it or justify it in my mind. of course docking of tail must be allowed due to medical conditions as in cases of injury- but i do hope more countries ban all of these conventional practises. but just as stated earlier, i do not want to offend any of you or say that you are bad owners/breeders etc., this is just what i personally would wish for in more countries. and i know and fully understand that when it is a requirement and standard there is not a lot to argue against, especially if you intend to show the dog. and i also fully understand how never being exposed to this as being a serious issue by prominent breeders, boardmemebers of the kennelclubs etc. might make it impossible to view this issue in the same light as most people here would do, just as we may not be able to understand the different view we haven't been exposed to in a long while..

this is also my first post here, so i'd like to say hi to everyone!

01-05-2005, 05:34 AM	#18
marianna Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 18	a different view on docking i have a very hard time understanding how one can justify mutilation on dogs/cats/etc. based on esthetical values, convenience (de-clawing cats for example) or just because it is standard and "the thing to do". I guess being from sweden makes you sheltered to these problems, we've always been extremely progressive when it comes to issues of cruelty and i think we banned any sort of interference with the natural traits of animals a while back (docking the tail was banned about 15 years ago if i recall the facts correct). i know banning these issues in the US is a lot harder most likely, comparing the size of the country, the amount of breeders etc. but i just can not believe how even the nicest, most ethical people in the US are willing to do this to their beloved pets. i was born in the states and also lived there for a while in highschool and was shocked to find out how the people i would least expect to do these things to their animals actually went through with it.. the idea of docking the tail or cropping ears because it looks nicer is just a mindset, if you live somewhere where it has been banned for a longer period of time you would come to think of the animal's traits that are unwanted right now in the same way you would view the docked tail for shows, as being the standard and a beautiful thing. and a thing which plays a heavy part in judging the dog. i certainly do not mean to offend anyone or start a heated debate or anything, i just wanted to share how some european countries view this issue. i've read docking the tail is not as painful as cropping the ears, but i just can not rationalize it or justify it in my mind. of course docking of tail must be allowed due to medical conditions as in cases of injury- but i do hope more countries ban all of these conventional practises. but just as stated earlier, i do not want to offend any of you or say that you are bad owners/breeders etc., this is just what i personally would wish for in more countries. and i know and fully understand that when it is a requirement and standard there is not a lot to argue against, especially if you intend to show the dog. and i also fully understand how never being exposed to this as being a serious issue by prominent breeders, boardmemebers of the kennelclubs etc. might make it impossible to view this issue in the same light as most people here would do, just as we may not be able to understand the different view we haven't been exposed to in a long while.. this is also my first post here, so i'd like to say hi to everyone!