BILL ANALYSIS
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SB 135|
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THIRD READING
Bill No: SB 135
Author: Florez (D), et al
Amended: 5/4/09
Vote: 21
SENATE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE : 5-2, 4/28/09
AYES: Leno, Cedillo, Hancock, Steinberg, Wright
NOES: Benoit, Huff
SENATE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE : 4-1, 4/21/09
AYES: Florez, Maldanado, Hancock, , Pavley
NOES: Hollingsworth
SUBJECT : Animal abuse: cattle: tail docking
SOURCE : Humane Society of the United States
DIGEST : This bill makes the practice of tail docking
cattle a misdemeanor unless performed by a veterinarian for
veterinary purposes.
ANALYSIS : Developed in New Zealand in the early 1900s,
tail docking is the practice of removing part of the solid
portion of an animal's tail. In dairy cattle, tail docking
is alleged to improve milking personnel comfort, cow utter
cleanliness, and heightened milk quality. Further, tail
docking is alleged to promote milking personnel health
through the prevention of leptospirosis a bacterial disease
spread by urine from infected animals via contact with skin
abrasions or wounds or contact with mucous membranes of the
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eyes, nose, and mouth.
The practice of tail docking has varying restrictions
around the world. It is prohibited in Denmark, Germany,
Scotland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Canada
recommends that only competent personnel perform the
procedure, and Australia has varying degrees of regulation
from requiring that veterinarians perform the procedure to
outright prohibition.
In the United States, cattle are docked near weaning, most
commonly by rubber band constriction. The banded tail
detaches after three to seven weeks, removing one-third to
two-thirds of the tail.
California law makes the practice of tail docking horses or
the importation of tail-docked horses a misdemeanor.
This bill does allow for "docking" only when the solid part
of an animal's tail must be removed in an emergency for the
purpose of saving the animal's life or relieving the
animal's pain, provided that the emergency treatment is
performed by a licensed veterinarian and is performed
consistent with the Veterinary Medicine Practice Act.
Comments
According to the sponsors of the bill, tail docking causes
acute pain to the animal at the time of docking. In
addition to the pain of the actual procedure, docked cattle
lose the ability to protect themselves from flies and other
insects as they no longer have sufficient tail to swat away
the insects.
A recent University of California study found that tail
docking does not add any improvement in dairy worker safety
and comfort or the health and cleanliness of the cow's
udder.
In a recent report by the Humane Society of the United
States they offer an alternative to tail docking of
improved handling, housing management, and seasonal switch
trimming. The switch being the long hairs growing at the
end portion of the cow's tail.
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FISCAL EFFECT : Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes
Local: Yes
SUPPORT : (Verified 5/19/09)
Humane Society of the United States (source)
Animal Place
Animal Protection and Rescue League
ASPCA
Born Free USA
California Animal Association
California Veterinary Medical Association
Farm Sanctuary
Food Empowerment Project
Humane Farming Action Fund
Humane Society Veterinary MedicalAssociation
League of Humane Voters
Paw PAC
Pew Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production
San Diego Animal Advocates
United Animal Nations
TSM:do 5/19/09 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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