Italy and amputations, i.e. the ballet of deliberations

I would like Italy to finally accept with joy the boxer breed left to the natural. In 2008 everyone should have understood, that the amputations for aesthetic purposes cause unnecessary suffering and medical problems to the puppies, which suffer them. But unfortunately it is not yet so. They constantly point me out puppy, in which private mischief cuts the tail. Requested of the motivation, they camp strange excuses: the tail has broken to a puppy, so the veterinarian has cut them all; so the boxer has a more proud appearance; I like the boxer with the short tail.

I like it?! It's a reason "I like it"?!

Ignorance, disinformation, prejudice - as always - are the masters of it. Unfortunately, the same shortcomings, not disjoined by bad people, are also found among operators in the sector. Veterinary and breeders, who for their role should promote the good of the race and a correct information on rules and correct behaviour towards the animal, prefer to exploit the confusion to "place their filthiness."

Last but not least, I would like to condemn the ENCI for its continuous swinging manoeuvres, the lack of courage and consistency in indicating the route to follow. The last act of this pathetic ballet was worn out early in October 2008. I explain what happened: a resolution of 7 July 2008 prohibited access to the exhibitions of amputated dogs born after the change of standard (for the boxer: 2001), that is, practically all, since in Italy, almost all the boxers with more than two years are amputated. Italian breeders - in fact - have exploited any extension not to comply with the standard in anticipation of a protectionist legislation whose implementation was inevitable, but to continue to amputate their puppies. The Enci resolution of 7 July 2008 splashed the entire sector. The situation became heavy, the breeders looked with frightened eyes, dogs just two years old risked retirement, the rinks were empty, as the operators were simply without dogs to be exposed, all the rallies were sent back and the confusion was sovereign.

Just on the eve of the Italian championship - as happens - the umpteenth sanatoria of the Enci (1 October 2008) readmitted the amputees, provided they were born before 12 January 2007. This resolution is however to be understood as a derogation granted to the breeders for the sole expositive purposes and for obvious and declared commercial reasons. "considered the legitimate interest of the breeders who presented dogs with cut ears and/or tails obtaining qualifications from the expert judges useful for the proclamation to Italian/international champions."

But, on the basis of this greedy reverse, some reckless veterinarian is saying (probably to make little money on the charges and taking advantage of the gullibleness of others) that the Enci has again allowed the tail cut.

A school of thought, inspired by some nostalgic breeder, is also being developed, according to which the amputation of the tail can be interpreted according to the future esposive career of the dog. Only dogs complying with the standard (so intact), but if you do not want an exhibition boxer, you can also buy a dog with a cut tail.

I am engorged by these positions and I strongly repeat that the charges of tail and ears for aesthetic reasons are prohibited by a law (Turkish order) of the Italian State. It is not a matter of personal tastes, of Enci resolutions, regulations or professional ethical codes.

Those who amputate tail and ears commit a crime, just like those who are taxi drivers, drive without a license or use drugs. As such, they are prosecutable by the CPR. And those who sell illegally amputated puppies commit a scam against the unsuspecting buyers, as they propose dogs out of standard, without career possibilities and therefore with a zero or very low commercial value.

Unfortunately, we have come to the decision to do this hard task following scandalous cases of perfectly healthy dogs (boxers and labradors), which had been prescribed for surgery. And we invite the veterinary doctors, who exercise with professionalism and for the welfare of the animal, to denounce colleagues and structures, which - with their dishonesty - discredit the professional order.

ENCI, resolution of 1 October 2008