The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 (s 12(1)) provides that a person shall not perform any of the following procedures on animals
 

a. dock the tail of a horse, bull, ox, bullock, steer, cow, heifer, calf or dog

b. crop the ears of a dog

c. operate upon a dog for the purpose of preventing the dog from being able to bark

d. remove one or more of the claws of a cat