Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966

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.