Physical Alterations

The ASPCA opposes routine physical alteration of farm animals such as beak trimming,[1] dairy cow[2] and pig tail docking,[3] teeth clipping[4] and detoeing[5] whenever they are used as a substitute for appropriate housing and animal husbandry practices.   More humane solutions can be found using suitable breeds, decreased stocking density and otherwise improved housing conditions and herd/flock management. Until physical alterations are eliminated, they must include appropriate pain prevention and relief and at the very least be performed by competent workers employing the most humane techniques available. The ASPCA encourages research into alternatives to physical alterations of farm animals in order to achieve Freedom from Pain, Injury and Disease and Freedom from Fear and Distress.

[1] http://www.poultryhub.org/health/health-management/beak-trimming/

[2] https://www.avma.org/KB/Policies/Pages/Tail-Docking-of-Cattle.aspx

[3] https://porcinehealthmanagement.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/2055-5660-1-2

[4] https://www.avma.org/KB/Policies/Pages/Tail-Docking-and-Teeth-Clipping-of-Swine.aspx

[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25881587