BC SPCA POLICY STATEMENT

#19 - SURGICAL MUTILATION

The BC SPCA opposes the surgical mutilation of animals, except procedures performed by a licensed veterinarian to alleviate suffering, or for reasons of injury or health. Other unnecessary surgical procedures done purely for cosmetic purposes, or to disguise natural imperfections of any animal, that are painful, distressful, or restrictive of the function of the body part involved cannot be condoned. The latter does not include the neutering of dogs and cats by a veterinarian as a pet population control measure.

Some procedures that are presently utilized in livestock husbandry, such as castration of cattle, swine, sheep and goats; tail docking of swine and sheep; dehorning of cattle and goats should be performed in a humane fashion in the first few weeks of life. The Society is committed to the elimination of painful invasive practices and urges the agricultural community to search for acceptable alternatives. The Society opposes the tail docking of dairy cattle. Such a procedure violates the standard of care which is acceptable in animal management practices.

The declawing of cats and debarking of dogs can only be condoned if done after consultation as to other options with a licensed veterinarian in circumstances when the animal would be denied a home or face euthanasia.

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Surgical mutilation is defined as any procedure on an animal that is not required to remedy an injury or a medical condition.

Animal includes birds and wildlife.