Countryside Alliance Ireland - love the countryside

Countryside Alliance Ireland welcomes the passing of an amendment exempting working dogs from a tail docking ban in Northern Ireland.   

On Tuesday 1^st February, the NI Assembly voted to include the exemption within the Welfare of Animals Bill, and this means the following breeds would be excluded from a ban: 

DOGS SPECIFIED FOR THE PURPOSES OF SECTION 6(7)

(1) Spaniels of any breed or combination of breeds.

(2) Terriers of any breed or combination of breeds.

(3) Any breed commonly used for hunting, or any combination of such breeds.

(4) Any breed commonly used for pointing, or any combination of such breeds.

(5) Any breed commonly used for retrieving, or any combination of such breeds. 

Lyall Plant, Chief Executive of Countryside Alliance Ireland, commented, “I am delighted that common sense has prevailed and the Assembly has voted to exempt working dogs from the tail docking regulations.  This is undoubtedly the correct decision for the health and welfare of working dogs, as can clearly be seen from the aftermath of the tail docking ban in Scotland.  Consultant, Airlie Bruce Jones, collated the results gathered from the monitoring of working dogs during the 2008/2009 season and there was a dramatic increase in the number of serious tail injuries and amputations within the working dog community in Scotland”. 

Countryside Alliance Ireland would like to take this opportunity to thank the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, our MLAs, MPs and everyone who supported the amendment and lobbied on behalf of our members.