Ruskell hits out at SNP and Tory MSPs for supporting a return to amputating puppies' tails
Mark Ruskell MSP, Environment spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, today (13 June) hit out at SNP and Tory MSPs for supporting a return to amputating puppies' tails.
The Scottish Government brought its proposed relaxation of a ten-year ban on tail docking in working dogs to today's Environment Committee at Holyrood.
SNP and Tory MSPs voted in support of the move, with Green MSP Mark Ruskell and two Labour MSPs opposing it.
Mark Ruskell said:
“Vets and animal welfare charities warned that this would be a retrograde step for Scotland, and today SNP and Tory MSPs endorsed this cruel and unnecessary practice. The amputation of hundreds of puppies' tails just to avoid one amputation in an adult dog is anti-science and nothing more than a sop to vested interests.
"I've previously pressed the Environment Secretary to admit that this policy has no veterinary support. At today's Committee meeting, she confirmed that Scottish Government research on the policy did not look at the risk to dog's tails from kennelling, nor did it look at the impact on dogs' behaviour and communication.
“Today's vote in Committee is disappointing but the fight goes on ahead of a full vote in the Holyrood chamber.”