The threat to docking is real and present, despite the omission of legislation from the government’s newly announced Parliamentary schedule, says the Council of Docked Breeds.

“No animal welfare Bill was included in the Queen’s Speech to Parliament, but that does not mean the threat of anti-docking legislation has gone away. We cannot relax our guard,” said CDB President Peter Squires.

“We know now that draft legislation will be released in the spring. When it is published we shall be studying it, plus any proposed secondary legislation and codes of practice, very carefully indeed. The Bill, when it is published, will be open to public consultation and at that point we will be calling on all of those who have the welfare of our docked breeds at heart to make their voices heard.”