Martyn Oates The Politics Show South West

Cruft's is a showpiece for dog owners

The biggest week in the canine calendar reaches its climax tonight, with the 'Best in Show' being crowned at Cruft's.

But behind the scenes, there is a contentious issue.

This week, MPs will take a free vote on whether to ban the docking - or partial amputation - of dogs' tails as part of the Animal Welfare Bill.

Major veterinary organisations and animal welfare groups condemn the practice as cruel and unnecessary and are demanding a ban.

Opponents say there should at least be an exemption for working dogs which, they say, can seriously injure full length tails. Louise Hubball reports.

These eight week old schnauzer puppies were docked at two days old. Dogs' tails have been docked for centuries, but today it's an emotive issue.

At Crufts, many breeds shown, traditionally have docked tails.

This is the difference a ban would make;- a standard schnauzer with a docked tail and one with a full length tail.

Breeder Mary Moore lives near Bridgwater and has shown dogs at Crufts since 1965, last year winning best of breed in the schnauzer class.

Traditionally docked breeds, can be entered into shows with long tails, and although Mary says she's open minded on the issue, she is concerned about the impact a ban would have;-

Since legislation in 1993, puppies' tails can only be docked by a vet, and the vet is free to choose if they offer a service or not.

John Bower is a partner at the Veterinary Hospital in Plymouth;- he has been opposed to tail docking since he qualified 30 years ago.

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and the British Veterinary Association are also opposed to docking, unless it's for medical reasons.

Although some vets continue to dock, the practice is no longer taught in veterinary colleges.

But there is strong contingent, who believe that working dogs should be exempt from a possible ban in the interests of animal welfare.

Gundogs have had their tails docked to prevent it being damaged during shoots, as they work in the thick undergrowth.

For those in favour of the exemption, it's a straight forward animal welfare issue.

And it's not just the shooting community.

The Association of Chief Police Officers has stated that it's up to the discretion of individual forces, whether to dock puppies' tails for operational reasons, subject to veterinary advice.

The government had favoured the status quo on the docking issue. However, in January it bowed to pressure from MPs and moved towards a complete ban.

On Tuesday the MPs will have a free vote;- the three options being the status quo, a complete ban or an exemption for working dogs.

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