Woman jailed over tail dockings

A WOMAN who docked her Rottweiler puppies’ tails with a pair of scissors for no ‘medical reason’ has been jailed for two months and banned from owning an animal for 10 years

Gillian Breden from Brighton, had admitted eight counts of removing the tails at a hearing earlier in the month at Brighton magistrates on Tuesday.

Breden had told the court that she did not not realise she was doing anything wrong and that people buying the puppies had all wanted animals with their tails docked.

Brighton and Hove City Council's animal welfare service brought the prosecution under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and the court heard the tails were removed when the puppies were a day old. The puppies were discovered by RSPCA officers four weeks later at her home.

Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, tail docking is illegal unless carried out by a vet for medical reasons, or to a certified working dog. Each case carries a maximum sentence of up to six months in prison or a £20,000 fine, the council said.

After the sentencing, animal welfare officer Maggi Hollands said: "This was a deliberate act of cruelty and we are very pleased that the magistrates have shown such clear support. This is a good step forward for the animal welfare team and gets the message across that this behaviour will not be tolerated. Ignorance is no excuse."