A bill to ban dog tail docking, described as barking mad by opponents, will go through Parliament after it was drawn out of a parliamentary ballot yesterday.
Labour MP Dianne Yates' member's bill, the Animal Welfare (Restriction on Docking of Dogs' Tails) Bill, will be read in Parliament in about amonth's time.
"I'm very pleased. I'm sure every little dog is waving its tail in joy," Ms Yates said.
She was driven to produce her own bill on the issue after a provision on tail docking was dropped from the Animal Welfare Act.
She said veterinarians, the RSPCA and other organisations supported it.
The New Zealand Kennel Club previously called the bill political correctness gone barking mad.
Yesterday, club president Ray Greer said docking, if done properly, was safe but if made illegal it could be done by amateurs in dangerous environments. He also said hunting dogs were prone to painful tail injuries if not docked.
Breeders have also opposed a ban. Ms Yates said she understood their concerns but said Australia had banned tail-docking and Britain and other countries were considering it.
"When it becomes international, those people who are breeders will not be penalised for dogs having tails. It's a change that is happening and I think that if people are worried about the monetary value of their dogs I think it is a change that is inevitable."
