Written question asked by Andrew Rosindell (Conservative) on Wednesday, 28 October 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 2 November 2009. It was answered by Jim Fitzpatrick (Labour) on Monday, 2 November 2009 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dogs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will bring forward legislative proposals to prohibit the submission for competition of dogs with docked tails to dog shows which charge no entrance fee to spectators.

Answer: The Animal Welfare Act 2006 prohibits the showing of a dog that has had its tail docked on or after 6 April 2007 at an event to which members of the public are admitted on payment of a fee (except where a certified docked dog is being shown only for the purpose of demonstrating its working ability). Any suggestions for amendments to the docking of dogs' tails provisions in the Animal Welfare Act 2006 will be considered when the Act is reviewed.

Secondary information