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Thanks to Farm Sanctuary Members and Celebrity Supporters,
Governor Schwarzenegger Signed Tail Docking Bill
(Updated: October 12, 2009)

Thanks to the help of Farm Sanctuary members and celebrity supporters, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger made history when he signed a tail docking bill, ending the painful and unnecessary amputation of dairy cows’ tails. Following a letter sent on behalf of Alicia Silverstone, Bill Maher, Bob Barker, Emily Deschanel, Eric Roberts, Esai Morales, Fred Willard, Ginnifer Goodwin, James Cromwell, Joan van Ark, Kim Basinger, Kristen Bell, Mariel Hemingway, Mimi Kennedy, Valerie Harper, Carol Leifer, Corey Feldman, and Ed Begley, Jr. to California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, urging him to do the right thing and sign the bill that would end this outmoded and painful practice, the governor took action, effectively banning tail docking in California.

Because cows use their tails to ward off biting insects, tail docking robs them of this ability, leading to great distress during fly season. Tail docking also results in both chronic and acute pain for the animals. The procedure is commonly performed by the application of a constrictive band that cuts off blood flow to the tail, a painful process that sometimes leads to the formation of neuromas — dense masses of tangled nerve endings that are associated with chronic pain, as well as increased sensitivity to heat and cold. Necrotic tissue resulting from the tail docking is also susceptible to infection, including tetanus and gangrene.

Despite the inherent cruelty of tail docking, some dairy producers continue to engage in this practice, contending that it can prevent dirt on the cows’ tails from soiling their udders and hence improve the hygiene and health of both cows and workers. But the fact is, all of the research done on tail docking shows that it has no benefits whatsoever. That’s why the conservative American Veterinary Medical Association and the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association have both issued position statements opposing routine tail docking. Even the California Farm Bureau, an organization known for opposing very modest legislation to improve farm animal welfare, is in support of this bill.

Still, some factory farm dairy producers are hoping to hold on to their right to mutilate cows. But thanks to our dedicated members and supporters, Farm Sanctuary has fought back to make sure this cruel practice is banned once and for all.

Please take action now to pass similar legislation in NY.