Companion Animal Welfare II

PROBLEMATIC PROCEDURES

Ear cropping De-clawing Tail docking

Ear Cropping

Ear Cropping:

~ Illegal in 20 countries, mostly in Europe

~ AB 418 - bill to ban cropping in Californiaup for vote by Assembly

Supported by AVMA, CAMAOpposed by AKC

~ Primary purpose cosmetic

~ Ears highly vascularized, serious procedure

~ Done between 8 and 12 weeks~ Removes large portion of the pinna, severs

nerves, cartilage and arteries.~ Remaining flaps must be taped and secured

to rack or supports to create “prick ear”

Tail Docking

Tail Docking

~ Also illegal in many countries

~ Variety of purposes- Tail bleeds serious health problem- Historic: Proof of taxes paid- Cosmetic - breed preferences

~ Usually done in first days of life,less serious procedure than cropping

> problems with phantom pain?> decreases effective communication?

“Pit Bull” Problem

~ American Pit Bull Terrier:

American Staffordshire Terrier?Staffordshire Terrier?Bull Terrier?

~ Up to 50% of population of some shelters~ Originally bred as fighting dogs, were shot if

aggressive to humans

~ Playful, strong, stamina, easily aroused.

Declawing Declawing CatsCats

Declawing

Onychectomy> Traditional: amputation of last digit> Permanent, effective> Recovery time: 90% recovered in 2 wks> Laser technique causes less blood loss

Declawing

Tenectomy> Excise tendon only> Less initial trauma> Nails have to be trimmed> Lower owner satisfaction

Opponents:> Unnecessary suffering, short and long term> % with long term problems (20% lame after

2 months in one study)

> Scratching is natural behavior> Increase in behavioral problems?

Proponents:> Decreases surrenders to shelters> Improves H/A relationship> Reduces injuries to humans> Procedures now less painful

“Scratching”

> Function is scent marking as much as nail grooming

> Many alternatives to de-clawing:- appropriate scratching posts

(sturdy, proper substrate)- training, nail trimming, nail caps

FERAL/FREE RANGING CATS

~ Not native~ Fed cats still hunt~ Universally agreed kill

song birds/mammalsHow many?How many non-native?

~ Controversy over how control?~ Reclassify so can shoot?~ Trap, Neuter, Release

12 million caged birds in 6.9 million households

Social, intelligent -- need stimulation

Must be trained (can be aggressive)

Health/diet must be carefully monitored

Still captured from wild (altho most seriouschallenge is native habitat degradation.

Social, intelligent -- need stimulation> Mental capacity of 5-6 year old child> Recall Alex and functional use of language> Emotional capacity of 2-3 year old child> Primary reason for abandonment = beh problems

Must be trained (can be aggressive and LOUD)> Can inflict serious injury> Highly vocal in wild> Some species more vocal than others

Health/diet must be carefully monitored

Still captured from wild > Estimated .25 to .5 million/year> Most serious challenge is native

habitat degradation.

Exotic Fish

> Wild caught ortank raised?

> Major sourceof income in someareas of the world