Current Press Releases

Farm Sanctuary Thanks Governor Schwarzenegger for Banning Tail Docking in the California Dairy Industry

Watkins Glen, NY – October 12, 2009 – Farm Sanctuary, the nation’s leading farm animal protection organization, today thanks Governor Schwarzenegger for signing a bill into law that will end the cruel and outdated practice of amputating dairy cows’ tails. Last month, after both chambers of the California legislature voted to pass the bill, the organization sent a letter to the governor on behalf of Bob Barker, Kim Basinger, Bill Maher, Alicia Silverstone and a host of other California celebrities, as well as their more than 200,000 members and supporters, urging him to do the right thing and sign into law the bill banning tail docking in the dairy industry.

“We thank and congratulate Governor Schwarzenegger for ending the painful and senseless mutilation of cows on California’s dairies,” said Gene Baur, Farm Sanctuary’s president and co-founder. “Building on last November’s historic passage of Prop 2 banning three cruel forms of animal confinement on factory farms in the state and Governor Schwarzenegger’s signing of the only U.S. law to end the production and sale of foie gras in 2004, California has once again proven itself a leader in advancing the humane treatment of farm animals. By signing this bill into law, Governor Schwarzenegger has taken a stand for compassion and sent a humane message to the rest of the country.”

Tail docking, the amputation of a cow’s tail by applying a tight rubber ring around the appendage until the tissue becomes necrotic and falls off, or is alternatively cut off with shears, is a procedure usually performed without analgesics and causes the animal to suffer acute and lingering pain. It also prohibits them from warding off biting insects with their tail, leading to greater distress during fly season. Peer-reviewed research from both governmental and academic sources indicates there are no health or safety benefits associated with tail docking, and the procedure has been opposed by numerous professional associations such as the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.

Celebrities who signed Farm Sanctuary’s letter to Governor Schwarzenegger urging him to ban tail docking in California include Alicia Silverstone, Bill Maher, Bob Barker, Emily Deschanel, Eric Roberts, Esai Morales, Fred Willard, Ginnifer Goodwin, James Cromwell, Joan van Ark, Kim Basinger, Kristen Bell, Mariel Hemingway, Mimi Kennedy, Valerie Harper, Carol Leifer, Corey Feldman and Ed Begley, Jr.

If you would like to speak with Farm Sanctuary’s President and Co-Founder Gene Baur, please contact Meredith Turner at mturner@farmsanctuary.org or 646-369-6212.

About Farm Sanctuary
Farm Sanctuary is the nation's leading farm animal protection organization. Since incorporating in 1986, Farm Sanctuary has worked to expose and stop cruel practices of the "food animal" industry through research and investigations, legal and institutional reforms, public awareness projects, youth education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Farm Sanctuary shelters in Watkins Glen, N.Y., and Orland, Calif., provide lifelong care for hundreds of rescued animals, who have become ambassadors for farm animals everywhere by educating visitors about the realities of factory farming. Additional information can be found at farmsanctuary.org or by calling 607-583-2225.