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SPCA inspectors found six Jack Russell cross puppies with docked tails when they visited Carlo De Regla’s property.
A man who cut off the tails of six two-day-old puppies decided not to give them pain relievers because he didn’t think they would experience pain.
The Christchurch man, who removed the tails from the Jack Russell cross puppies, has been indicted by the SPCA.
He was fined $ 900 when he was sentenced in Christchurch District Court on Wednesday, money to be paid to the SPCA.
The charity was notified in May about a TradeMe listing advertising the puppies for sale, all with tails that appeared to be docked.
SPCA inspectors visited Carlo De Regla’s property and found that all six puppies had shorter tails, some longer than others.
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The puppies were seized and a veterinarian concluded that the puppies had tails that were docked near the base.
In October 2018, new animal welfare regulations banned tail docking, unless performed by a veterinarian or student under supervision.
SPCA Executive Director Andrea Midgen said tail docking was “out of step” with modern times, much like changing an animal’s body for cosmetic reasons or human preferences.
“Tail docking is a surgical procedure that should only be performed if a dog’s tail is damaged in any way, and the dog should receive pain relief.
“While the tail docking regulations went into effect almost two years ago, the SPCA is concerned that people are still engaging in this illegal practice.”
When interviewed, De Regla admitted that he docked their tails when the puppies were two days old and that he had used forceps and scissors.
He said he hadn’t given the puppies any pain relief at the time of the procedure, because he didn’t think the puppies would experience any pain.
When asked why he had done the procedure, he said he believed short tails looked beautiful.
He also admitted that he had cut his tail before when living abroad, and said he did not know it was banned in New Zealand.
“This case highlights the dangerous ignorance of people who are performing domestic procedures on innocent animals. The defendant alleged ignorance of this regulation which, frankly, is unacceptable, ”Midgen said.
