The tails of Californian dairy cows can no longer be docked, thanks to the efforts of animal welfare activists, who succeeded to getting legislation approved to protect the creatures.
Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a law forbidding the “cruel and unnecessary amputation” of these extremities, which was already outlawed for horses.The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) applauded the decision.Senior director of government relations for the charity Jill Buckley said this practice had a number of harmful side effects.”Cows naturally use their tails to swat off biting insects,” she explained, adding: “Tail docking makes this simple movement impossible – leading to enormous suffering, especially during fly season.”
Other by-products of this custom include infected wounds and neuromas – dense masses of nerves that can cause sharp and constant pain. This is created when the docking is performed by cutting off blood flow to the tip of the tail and allowing it to drop off, as opposed to cutting it off without anesthesia.
Support for this measure is in line with the ASPCA’s mission of Humane Farm Animal Care – a certification organization dedicated to ensuring livestock is treated in a decent manner.
Animal Friends Pet Insurance are specialist pet insurers who have been insuring dogs and cats in the UK since 1999, we are your first choice for Ethical Insurance.
Source: Original story posted on Animal Friends Pet Insurance blog, 2009, no longer available
AnimalFriends.org: Dairy Cows on the Winning End of Legislation
Posted: October 26, 2009 by Certified Humane
The tails of Californian dairy cows can no longer be docked, thanks to the efforts of animal welfare activists, who succeeded to getting legislation approved to protect the creatures.
Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a law forbidding the “cruel and unnecessary amputation” of these extremities, which was already outlawed for horses.The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) applauded the decision.Senior director of government relations for the charity Jill Buckley said this practice had a number of harmful side effects.”Cows naturally use their tails to swat off biting insects,” she explained, adding: “Tail docking makes this simple movement impossible – leading to enormous suffering, especially during fly season.”
Other by-products of this custom include infected wounds and neuromas – dense masses of nerves that can cause sharp and constant pain. This is created when the docking is performed by cutting off blood flow to the tip of the tail and allowing it to drop off, as opposed to cutting it off without anesthesia.
Support for this measure is in line with the ASPCA’s mission of Humane Farm Animal Care – a certification organization dedicated to ensuring livestock is treated in a decent manner.
Animal Friends Pet Insurance are specialist pet insurers who have been insuring dogs and cats in the UK since 1999, we are your first choice for Ethical Insurance.
Source: Original story posted on Animal Friends Pet Insurance blog, 2009, no longer available
Category: news