Docking (Animal)

Docking is the intentional removal of part of an animal's tail or, less often, its ears, with cropping the more common term for ear removal and docking or tailing for the tail. It is practiced across several species for different reasons: on pigs and cattle to prevent tail-biting injuries or keep dairy operations clean, on sheep to reduce the risk of fly strike, on horses for practical and aesthetic reasons, and on dogs both historically and today. The practice raises persistent animal welfare concerns and is legally restricted in a number of countries.