The new Animal Welfare Act 2006 - declawing

[Susanne (urbantigers)]

I think it was illegal under EU legislation, but that Britain didn't sign up to that particular legislation (not because of the declawing - not sure why but other reasons) so it was effectively banned for the reasons Desley stated -  it's frowned upon by the RCVS and any vet carrying out the procedure for non medical reasons could be struck off - but not actually illegal in terms of a law prohibiting it.  I think the main reason declawing isn't carried out over here is because it's never been done much (if at all) so most people don't know such a procedure exists and won't ask for it, although I do wonder whether it would have been possible to prosecute someone for cruelty if they declawed a cat.  Nice to have it made properly illegal.

[Desley (booktigger)]

It was actually frowned upon by the RCVS, and vets could be struck off for doing it, unless there was a good reason, such as a medical issue the cat had. So it was never illegal, but never practiced.

[Tan]

Yeap def covers tail docking 

I thought declawing wasn't actually banned til now but always seen in UK as barbaric which it very much is, so not done.

I suppose if it was banned it would be in the old act?

[blackcat]

I thought de-clawing was only legal in the US. I hope it covers dog tail docking too as that is a pointless exercise in mutilation in most (if not all) breeds.

[Sam (Fussy_Furball)]

I thought declawing was banned anyway ... regardless of the animal welfare act. 

[Tan]

Is declawing now officially banned in UK now with the new animal welfare act brought in in April this year?

See here for the act info - http://www.purrsinourhearts.co.uk/index.php?topic=6874.0


and here for the bit on mutilation 
-From 6 April 2007 in England, and 28 March in Wales, the mutilation of animals is banned under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, with certain exemptions set out in Regulations. “Mutilation” covers any procedure that involves interference with the sensitive tissues or bone structure of an animal other than for therapeutic purposes (medical treatment). -  http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/welfare/act/docking.htm