Policy: Cattle tail docking

Policy type: Policy
Reference: 5g
Status: Current
Date ratified: December 2018

Policy

The NZVA supports Regulation 50, in the Animal Welfare (Care and Procedures) Regulations 2018 which from 1 October 2018, prohibits the docking of cows tails.

The NZVA agrees that a person should have a defence to a prosecution for an offence against this regulation if the person was required to urgently dock the tail of the cattle beast in response to an accidental tail injury in order to prevent excessive bleeding or further injury to the cattle beast.

Reference

1.  Animal Welfare (Care and Procedures) Regulations 2018

50. Docking cattle beasts’ tails

1. A person must not dock the tail of a cattle beast.
   
   
2. A person who fails to comply with this regulation commits an offence and is liable on conviction,—
   1. in the case of an individual, to a fine not exceeding $3,000; or
   2. in the case of a body corporate, to a fine not exceeding $15,000.
      
      
3. A person has a defence to a prosecution for an offence against this regulation if the person was required to urgently dock the tail of the cattle beast in response to an accidental tail injury in order to prevent excessive bleeding or further injury to the cattle beast.
   
   
4. A person has a defence to a prosecution for an offence against this regulation if—
   1. the person was a veterinarian, or a veterinary student under the direct supervision of a veterinarian throughout the procedure; and
   2. the person docked the tail of the cattle beast for therapeutic purposes; and
   3. the cattle beast was given pain relief at the time of the procedure.