Action for Animals Austin

Last February, a bill that would ban the practice of tail docking dairy cows, S.B. 135, was introduced in California by Senate Majority Leader Dean Florez. The bill has since passed through both the state Senate and the California Assembly with bipartisan support.

However, the bill still needs to be signed by Gov. Schwarzenegger, whose record on animal welfare is shady at best with his previous proposals to shorten shelter stays, ignore puppy mills and tax veterinary care.

Tail docking is performed to (supposedly) prevent the spread of leptospirosis to dairy workers, along with promoting udder health of cows. Various procedures to remove the tail are performed with no painkillers, and typically involve severing the tail off, or using a band to cut off circulation, causing the tail to fall off on its own.

However, the process of removing up to two-thirds of the tail is considered cruel, inhumane and unnecessary by many and has been banned in several European countries.

Scientific findings have also concluded that there is no benefit to cows having their tails docked in regards to the health of cows or people and that docking also causes additional stress for cows during fly season. Neuromas, or growths of nerve tissue, may also appear, which indicate tail docking can cause chronic pain, according to the AVMA. 

Despite having no arguments, Schwarzenegger has openly mocked this bill on his twitter page, along with making a video to prove his point, with the stance that no one should be bothering with cow tails when the economy is suffering.

http://www.care2.com/causes/animal-welfare/blog/-happy-cows-in-california-not-with-schwarzenegger-around/ and vote YES for the Governor to sign the bill.

You can also contact the Governor’s office to urge him to sign the bill by emailing governor@governor.ca.gov  or by calling 916-445-2841.

• Cows
• california
• schwarzenegger
• animal welfare
• dairy cows
• tail docking