California tail-docking bill now goes to governor

Tail docking of cattle is poised to become illegal in the nation’s largest dairy state after lopsided votes of approval in both the California State Assembly and Senate. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who publicly derided the measure earlier this summer, must now sign it to become law. If he does, California will be the first state to ban the practice.

Senate Bill 135 was introduced in February by California Senate Food and Agriculture Committee Chairman Dean Florez. It adds cattle to existing State Penal Code Section 597n covering horses which makes it a misdemeanor to cut the solid part of the tail, except in medical emergency. Trimming of tail switches is not prohibited.

The measure was approved by the State Assembly on September 3 by a vote of 58 to 15 and by the State Senate on September 8 by a vote of 26 to 12.

At the height of the state’s lengthy and contentious budget struggle in July, Schwarzenegger derided the bill during a press conference, saying, “In the midst of a budget crisis they’re debating about cow tails, and I think that this is inexcusable.”

Several European countries already ban tail docking, and, since 2004, the American Veterinary Medical Association has had an official policy opposing the practice.