Association between tail injuries and docking in dogs

P.G.G Darke, M.V.Thrusfield, C.G.G.Aitkin - as published in the Veterinary Record (1985)

Most anti docking organisations claim that this 20 year old “study” is accepted scientific evidence in support of their campaign to ban all tail docking. This “study” may impress those of an unscientific mind or the anti-docking lobby, but it is deeply flawed as a bona fide scientific study.

Our opponents (perhaps accepting its many weaknesses) whilst selectively quoting from it, have been slow to republish the "study", so it is reproduced here for you to view or print, along with two veterinary critiques:

The original "study" below

A critique by Professor JRS. Hales, B.Sc., M.Sc., PhD below

A critique by Joseph Holmes MRCVS below