Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966

Part II U.K. Exclusions from Provisions of Part I

Nothing in section 19(4)(b) of this Act shall authorise—

(a) the castration of a male animal being—

(i) a horse, pony, ass or mule,

(ii) a bull, boar or goat which has reached the age of two months,

(iii) a ram which has reached the age of three months, or

(iv) a cat or dog;

(b) the spaying of a cat or dog;

(c) the removal (otherwise than in an emergency for the purpose of saving life or relieving pain or suffering) of any part of the antlers of a deer before the velvet of the antlers is frayed and the greater part of it has been shed;

(d) the desnooding of a turkey which has reached the age of 21 days;

(e) the removal of the combs of any poultry which have reached the age of 72 hours;

(f) the cutting of the toes of a domestic fowl or turkey which has reached the age of 72 hours;

(g) the performance of a vasectomy or the carrying out of electro-ejaculation on any animal or bird kept for production of food, wool, skin or fur or for use in the farming of land;

(h) the removal of the supernumerary teats of a calf which has reached the age of 3 months; or

(i) the dehorning or disbudding of a sheep or goat, except the trimming of the insensitive tip of an ingrowing horn which, if left untreated, could cause pain or distress.